Up to 90 Shia pilgrims have been killed and more than 150 wounded in a double suicide bombing in the central Iraqi town of Hilla, police said.
Up to 90 Shia pilgrims have been killed and more than 150 wounded in a double suicide bombing in the central Iraqi town of Hilla, police said.
Two bombers wearing explosive vests blew themselves up in a large crowd.
It was the deadliest in a number of attacks against pilgrims heading to the city of Karbala for a religious event.
It was the deadliest in a number of attacks against pilgrims heading to the city of Karbala for a religious event.
At least seven pilgrims were killed and 14 injured in car bombings in Baghdad as they set off for Karbala.
Iraq has seen a sharp rise in violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims since an attack on a key Shia shrine in Samarra just over a year ago.
At least three pilgrims were killed in two separate shootings in Latifiya, 30km (20 miles) south of Baghdad.
MAJOR ATTACKS 3 Feb 2007: 130 killed in lorry bomb in Baghdad market2 Dec 2006: More than 50 killed in car bombs in same Baghdad market23 Nov 2006: 200 killed in wave of car bombings and mortar blasts in Baghdad's Shia Sadr City7 April 2006: 85 killed in triple suicide bombing at Shia mosque in Baghdad Baghdad has been at the centre of a three-week-old US-Iraqi security push, and US military commanders have been warning that militants may focus their efforts on launching attacks outside the capital.
The attack in Hilla happened in the late afternoon when two bombers wearing explosive vests blew themselves up in a crowd of pilgrims.
Some commentators have suggested that the Baghdad security push, which has weakened Shia militias, has had the effect of leaving them unable to protect their communities from Sunni militants, the BBC's Andrew North reports from Baghdad.
ARBAEEN CEREMONY Arbaeen ends 40 days of mourning for Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet MohamedIt follows Ashura, which commemorates his slaying by Muslim rivals in 680Imam Hussein's shrine is at KarbalaShias were discouraged from visiting during Saddam Hussein's rule
In other attacks on pilgrims, at least 10 people were killed in car bombings and shootings in Baghdad while three were killed in two separate shootings in Latifiya, to the south.
Shia ceremony
The attack in Hilla happened in the late afternoon.
At one local hospital, Dr Mohammed Timini told AFP news agency: "Among the wounded, there are 50 in a critical condition. Eighty percent of the casualties are young men, but there are women and children among the dead."
At one local hospital, Dr Mohammed Timini told AFP news agency: "Among the wounded, there are 50 in a critical condition. Eighty percent of the casualties are young men, but there are women and children among the dead."
The attack is one of the deadliest single incidents in Iraq, which has seen a sharp rise in violence between the Sunni and Shia Muslims since an attack on a key Shia shrine in Samarra just over a year ago.
The attack was one of the deadliest single incidents in Iraq.
The worst single attack since the 2003 invasion was in Baghdad early last month, when at least 130 people were killed in a lorry bombing.
The worst single attack since the 2003 invasion was in Baghdad early last month, when at least 130 people were killed in a lorry bombing.
Baghdad has been at the centre of a three-week-old US-Iraqi security push, and US military commanders have been warning that militants may focus their efforts on launching attacks outside the capital.
ARBAEEN CEREMONY Arbaeen ends 40 days of mourning for Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet MohamedIt follows Ashura, which commemorates his slaying by Muslim rivals in 680Imam Hussein's shrine is at KarbalaShias were discouraged from visiting during Saddam Hussein's rule Thousands of pilgrims are heading to Karbala, 100km (70 miles) south of Baghdad, to attend the Arbaeen religious ceremony.
Thousands of pilgrims are heading to Karbala, 100km (70 miles) south of Baghdad, to attend the Arbaeen religious ceremony.
Arbaeen marks the end of 40 days of mourning for Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, who was killed along with his family in 681, by the Muslim ruler of Arabia, Yazid.
Arbaeen marks the end of 40 days of mourning for Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hussein, who was killed along with his family in 681, by the Muslim ruler of Arabia, Yazid.
The day is one of the most solemn in the Shia calendar.
The day is one of the most solemn in the Shia calendar.
Are you in Iraq? Do you know anyone on the pilgrimage to Karbala? Send us your views.
Are you in Iraq? Do you know anyone on the pilgrimage to Karbala? Send us your views.
