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Bomb kills dozens in Iraqi city Dozens killed near Iraqi shrine
(20 minutes later)
A female suicide bomber has killed at least 32 people and injured 50 in the Iraqi city of Karbala, which is home to several important Shia Muslim shrines. A female suicide bomber has killed at least 42 people and injured 58 in the Shia Iraqi holy city of Karbala, Iraqi health officials say.
The bomb reportedly went off near the Imam Hussein shrine, and reports speak of ambulances and police vehicles ferrying casualties from the scene. The bomb went off near the Imam Hussein shrine, and reports speak of ambulances and police vehicles ferrying casualties from the scene.
Seven Iranians are believed to be among the dead, health officials say.Seven Iranians are believed to be among the dead, health officials say.
The city has seen deadly bomb attacks in the past, with about 100 people killed in two blasts last April.The city has seen deadly bomb attacks in the past, with about 100 people killed in two blasts last April.
A BBC correspondent says officials suspect al-Qaeda insurgents were behind the bombing in the city 80km (50 miles) south of Baghdad, but no group has claimed responsibility. Officials suspect al-Qaeda insurgents were behind the bombing in the city 80km (50 miles) south of Baghdad, but no group has claimed responsibility.
The attack came during an official visit to Iraq by the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney.The attack came during an official visit to Iraq by the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney.
'Smoke and bodies''Smoke and bodies'
The bomb went off in a cafe for day labourers, Reuters news agency reports.The bomb went off in a cafe for day labourers, Reuters news agency reports.
The Imam Hussein shrine is revered by Shia MuslimsThe Imam Hussein shrine is revered by Shia Muslims
"I was talking with a friend and eating bread a few metres away from the cafe and I suddenly heard a huge explosion and I was thrown to the floor," Mohammed Kadhem, 39, was quoted as saying."I was talking with a friend and eating bread a few metres away from the cafe and I suddenly heard a huge explosion and I was thrown to the floor," Mohammed Kadhem, 39, was quoted as saying.
"I saw smoke and bodies.""I saw smoke and bodies."
Hassan Khazim, 36, who was wounded in the face, told the Associated Press he had seen "bodies flying in the air".
"All the tight security measures designed to protect us were in vain," he said.
An AFP correspondent at the scene said the powerful explosion had ripped people apart, sending body parts flying. Many bodies were charred.An AFP correspondent at the scene said the powerful explosion had ripped people apart, sending body parts flying. Many bodies were charred.
Another Reuters witness said pools of blood could be seen inside the ruined cafe, as emergency services removed the dead and wounded, and distraught relatives wailed and screamed.Another Reuters witness said pools of blood could be seen inside the ruined cafe, as emergency services removed the dead and wounded, and distraught relatives wailed and screamed.
As a city holy to Shia Muslims, Karbala attracts pilgrims from neighbouring Shia-majority Iran, as well as the mainly Shia south of Iraq.As a city holy to Shia Muslims, Karbala attracts pilgrims from neighbouring Shia-majority Iran, as well as the mainly Shia south of Iraq.
Aqeel Khazali, governor of Karbala province, confirmed the bomber had been a woman but gave few other details.Aqeel Khazali, governor of Karbala province, confirmed the bomber had been a woman but gave few other details.
Provocation
On 28 April of last year, a car bomb killed at least 55 people and injured about 70 in Karbala, two weeks after a suicide bomber killed at least 42 people in the city.
Monday's attack would seem to be an act calculated to provoke Iraqi Shia Muslims at a time when one of the country's largest Shia militias, the Mehdi army, has declared a ceasefire and reigned in its fighters, the BBC's Adam Brookes reports.
But it would seem to continue an increase in violence noticeable in the last few weeks, our correspondent says.
Two bombs exploded in Baghdad on Monday, one of them killing two US soldiers.
Mr Cheney was paying a flying visit to Baghdad.
He met senior Shia leaders and said that Iraq's people had the unwavering support of the US as they consolidated their democracy.