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| Dozens killed near Iraqi shrine | Dozens killed near Iraqi shrine |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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 went off near the Imam Hussein shrine, reportedly inside a cafe, and eyewitnesses described seeing bodies scattered across the street. | |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| BOMB ATTACKS ON KARBALA 17 March 2008: A female suicide bomber kills 42, injures 5828 April 2007: A car bomb kills at least 55, injures about 70 14 April 2007: A suicide bomber kills at least 42, injures at least 1505 January 2006: A suicide bomber kills at least 60, injures more than 1002 March 2004: Bombs kill at least 85, injure 230 | |
| "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". | 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. | "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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Two bombs exploded in Baghdad on Monday, one of them killing two US soldiers. |
| Mr Cheney was paying a flying visit to Baghdad. | 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. | He met senior Shia leaders and said that Iraq's people had the unwavering support of the US as they consolidated their democracy. |