Sunday's suicide bombings in Baghdad have claimed the lives of 28 small children. At least 155 people died in the attack. More than 500 people were wounded.

The blasts in Baghdad targeted two government facilities just a few hundred yards from each other.

The first blast hit the Justice Ministry, followed by a second at the Baghdad Provincial Administration.

At the Justice Ministry daycare center, four children lost their lives.

Adel Risen, Employee of Justice Ministry, said, "The explosion was so powerful. About 4 children from the kindergarten belonging to the Justice Ministry were killed. We managed to rescue some other children."

A hospital official says 24 children on a bus were killed as it left the daycare center.

The Governor of Baghdad Province says the attack was coordinated between al-Qaida and Saddam Hussein's banned Sunni-dominated Baath party.

Salah Abdul-Razaq, Governor of Baghdad Province, said, "About the investigation, we have now said that there is coordination between al-Qaida and Baath groups. That's what we have said. Now they have planned and then given support, logistic support to carry out this incident."

The attack has raised more fears about the country's ability to protect itself, as it prepares for January parliamentary elections and the US military withdrawal.

Iraqi officials quickly stepped up security in the capital, tightening the hundreds of checkpoints around the city.