A suicide car bomber attacked a police checkpoint, guarding several government ministries, as Iraqi employees arrived for work on Monday, killing at least 7 policemen and 3 workers, police said.

The blast, which occurred at about 7:50 am, also wounded 10 policemen and 8 government employees, police Capt Nabil Abdel Qadir said.

The employees were just arriving for work at Iraq's oil ministry, irrigation ministry and national Police Academy, including some on a private bus that appeared to be damaged by the blast, Qadir said.

In Baghdad, the government work day generally begins at 8 am.

Employees at the 3 government buildings affected by the blast are often searched at the checkpoint before they are allowed to walk to their offices about 100 meters away.