Motorcycle explosion in southern Iraqi city kills at least 4

An explosion has rocked the center of Iraq’s southern city of Basra, killing at least four people and wounding four others

BASRA, Iraq -- An explosion rocked the center of Iraq's southern city of Basra on Monday, killing at least four people and wounding four others, according to Iraqi security forces.

The blast sent a column of black smoke into the sky. The governor of Basra, Asaad al-Idani, told reporters on the scene that a motorcycle had exploded.

It was not immediately clear whether a bomb had been rigged to the motorcycle or if it was a suicide bombing. The governor said two nearby cars were set ablaze from the explosion.

Iraq's Security Media Cell, an outlet affiliated with the country's security forces, said in a statement that four people were killed and four wounded as a result of the fire in two cars that were near the motorcycle.