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Dozens killed near Iraqi shrine Dozens killed near Iraqi shrine
(10 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.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. In the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a mortar attack by unidentified insurgents killed five people and wounded seven on a football pitch.
Earlier in the day, bombs in and around the city killed at least two Iraqi civilians and two US soldiers.
The attacks 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 230BOMB 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.
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.
ProvocationProvocation
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.
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.