BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A suicide bomber detonated explosives yesterday inside a packed bus bound for a southern Shiite city, killing 32 people and injuring 44, police said. The blast pushed the three-day death toll from suicide attacks in the capital to at least 75.

The suicide attack occurred when the bus was pulling away from east Baghdad's Nadhaa station bound for Nasiriyah, 320 kilometers (200 miles) to the south. A man carrying a bag suddenly jumped on the vehicle through the open door, apparently waiting until the last moment to board to avoid security checks.

He was challenged by the conductor, but insisted on taking a seat, police Lt. Wisam Hakim said.

"He sat in the middle of the bus and then the explosion took place," Hakim said.

Officials at the scene said the death toll was especially high because the blast triggered secondary explosions in gas cylinders stored at the food stall.

The fear factor

Feeding the multitude

DANGEROUS PETS