The death toll of the car bombing near a market in Baghdad's Sadr City On Saturday rose to 33 with 42 wounded, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

"Our latest report said that up to 33 people were killed and 42 other wounded in the crowded market," the source said on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, media reports put the death toll to three with seven wounded.

The blast, which took place shortly after 10:00 a.m. (0600 GMT), apparently caused by a parking explosive-packed vehicle near the Souq al-Auola market in the heavily populated Sadr City, the source said.

The attack targeted a passing police patrol, which escaped unhurt, he said, adding that all the victims were civilians.

Earlier in the day, a roadside bomb struck an Iraqi police commando patrol near a cinema in Baghdad's Alawi neighborhood, killing three commando members, according to a ministry source.

The blast damaged a police vehicle, killing the three commando members aboard, and caused damages in the nearby buildings and shops, he said.

Violence has mounted despite the formation of a new unity government in the war-torn country after three years of the U.S.- led invasion.

Source: Xinhua