Baghdad , Iraq ( CNN ) -- Four massive explosions -- at least one set off by a suicide bomber -- rocked a busy area of Baghdad on Thursday . The blasts came in quick succession around 1 p.m. not far from the fortified area known as the Green Zone , where international and government employees work . Black smoke filled the sky as fires raged for nearly two hours and frantic Iraqis shouted out for their loved ones . One woman screamed , `` My son ! '' At least 18 people were killed and 53 were wounded , police officials in Baghdad told CNN . In one of the attacks , a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vest inside the Justice Ministry building , Iraqi security officials told CNN . Iraqi state television reported that three gunmen rushed into the building , but Iraqi forces killed them . Iraqi forces continued to search the building to make sure employees were safe , the government-run news outlet said . It 's unclear at this time how the bomber and gunmen were able to get to the Justice Ministry , considering there are multiple checkpoints and other security measures in place to help keep the high-traffic area secure . A two-year college nearby was also damaged . Three hours after the blasts , Iraqi military helicopters were still hovering over the Justice Ministry as the sounds of sirens wailed . The attacks come as the 10th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war nears . The invasion began on March 20 , 2003. iReport Special : 10 years on , the war through your eyes .
Eighteen are dead after four blasts in a high - traffic area in central Baghdad . In one blast , a suicide bomber planted explosives inside the Justice Ministry building . Iraqi State TV : Gunmen entered the building but were killed by Iraqi security forces . The blasts happened near the fortified area known as the Green Zone .