The Health Minister, Umeed Madhat Mubarak, told reporters that about 75 people had been wounded.

Sound of air raid sirens in Baghdad

"The minimum deaths which have been observed by the hospitals are not less than 25 from yesterday and today in Baghdad," Mr Mubarak said in a hospital which sustained damage from nearby explosions.

There's been no independent confirmation and the minister said it was hard to give definite figures.

The largest hospital in Iraq, Saddam Medical city, sustained damage and physicians in the hospital said much of their equipment was destroyed.

BBC Correspondent Rageh Omaar said it appeared percussion from blasts - probably cruise missiles - had blasted out many windows and caused some structural damage.

The Iraqi health minister said a maternity hospital also sustained damage.

Second night of attacks

At least one building was set on fire as powerful blasts lit up the night sky. More than a dozen explosions were heard, and a pall of smoke hung over the city.

Surveying the damage from a missile in Baghdad

BBC Correspondent Richard Downes said the targets were in the centre of Baghdad and probably government buildings. He said at least three missiles could be heard whistling over this part of the centre of town.

He said that up to then life had been going on more or less as normal.

The Baghdad streets were still busy with traffic, although the volume was much lower than would be normally be expected on a Thursday night, the busiest of the week.

He said most people have been taking precautions, gathering together their families and stockpiling food and essential supplies.

Rageh Omaar says there has been no outward sense of panic among Baghdad residents - who know more than most about cruise missile attacks.