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Pilgrims die in Iraq bomb blast | Pilgrims die in Iraq bomb blast |
(20 minutes later) | |
At least 35 Shia pilgrims have been killed by a female suicide bomber at a shrine in Baghdad, Iraqi officials say. | At least 35 Shia pilgrims have been killed by a female suicide bomber at a shrine in Baghdad, Iraqi officials say. |
At least 65 people were injured in the blast, in the Kadhimiya area of the Iraqi capital, where pilgrims were gathering for a religious ceremony. | At least 65 people were injured in the blast, in the Kadhimiya area of the Iraqi capital, where pilgrims were gathering for a religious ceremony. |
Police said 16 Iranian pilgrims were among those who died. There are fears the death toll will rise. | |
Processions of Shia pilgrims across Iraq have been targeted by Sunni insurgents in the past. | Processions of Shia pilgrims across Iraq have been targeted by Sunni insurgents in the past. |
Police say the suicide bomber detonated her device at a checkpoint outside the Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine on Sunday. | Police say the suicide bomber detonated her device at a checkpoint outside the Imam Moussa al-Kadhim shrine on Sunday. |
"A woman wearing an explosive vest managed to reach one of the security checkpoints near the revered Kadhim shrine and exploded herself among a crowd of pilgrims," Iraqi security official Qassim Moussawi said. | "A woman wearing an explosive vest managed to reach one of the security checkpoints near the revered Kadhim shrine and exploded herself among a crowd of pilgrims," Iraqi security official Qassim Moussawi said. |
Many of the victims were women and children, another security official told the AFP news agency. | |
The blast happened at about 1100 (0800 GMT) as pilgrims were preparing for the Ashura holiday to mourn the death of Imam Hussein in the 7th Century. | |
This year, Ashura falls on Wednesday 7 January, but tens of thousands of pilgrims are already flocking to shrines across Iraq. | |
Sunday's attack in Baghdad was the second in the area in nine days. At least 17 people were killed in a car bomb in late December. | |
On Friday, at least 23 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a gathering of Sunni Muslim leaders south of Baghdad. | On Friday, at least 23 people were killed in a suicide bomb attack at a gathering of Sunni Muslim leaders south of Baghdad. |
About 110 people were also injured in Yusufiya, 20km (12 miles) from Baghdad. | About 110 people were also injured in Yusufiya, 20km (12 miles) from Baghdad. |
Sectarian violence in Baghdad has declined over the past year, but religious festivals remain times of heightened tension, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Baghdad says. | Sectarian violence in Baghdad has declined over the past year, but religious festivals remain times of heightened tension, the BBC's Caroline Wyatt in Baghdad says. |