At least 25 people were killed and 40 others injured in two suicide car bomb attacks in central Baghdad near Baghdad Provincial Council on Sunday, an Interior Ministry source said.

"The toll from the two coordinated attacks in central Baghdad rose to 25 killed and 40 others injured," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The toll could rise again as many victims were transported by ambulances and civilian cars to several Baghdad hospitals, the source said.

One blast took place when apparently a suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden car outside the building of Baghdad Provincial Council near the Mansour Hotel where many foreign media and companies live, the source added.

A second blast occurred outside the Iraqi Ministry of Justice close to the location of the first bombing, when another suicide bomber blew up an explosive-packed car, he said, adding that the Iraqi security forces are investigating the incidents.

Xinhua correspondent at the scene said at least 12 civilian cars were charred and some were totally destroyed by the powerful blasts.

Iraqi security forces sealed off the scene and fire engines arrived to put out fires as columns of black smoke rise above the scene, he said.

The two attacks appear to be the biggest since the deadly attacks on Aug. 19 when suicide truck bomb attacks targeted two Iraqi ministries, killing and wounding some 1,300 Iraqis.