The government said that while Bhutto dodged the attack, the power of the blast struck her head against the car's skylight, causing her skull to crack and die.

The head of Basra's provincial security committee, ali al Maliki, indicated two car bombs, combined with a roadside blast, caused the widespread damage and heavy casualty toll.

Rescuers and police were handing in hand to find the victims of the methane blast, head of provincial Disaster management Agency Ade Edward said.