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Car bomb blast in holy Iraqi city Car bomb blast in holy Iraqi city
(about 4 hours later)
A car bomb has killed at least six people and injured dozens in the holy city of Karbala, Iraqi officials say.A car bomb has killed at least six people and injured dozens in the holy city of Karbala, Iraqi officials say.
The blast happened near the Imam al-Abbas shrine in the centre of Karbala, the final resting place of the son of the founder of Shia Islam.The blast happened near the Imam al-Abbas shrine in the centre of Karbala, the final resting place of the son of the founder of Shia Islam.
Witnesses said the blast had set fire to a row of shops and several cars.Witnesses said the blast had set fire to a row of shops and several cars.
Karbala, 80km (50 miles) south of Baghdad, is considered Iraq's second holiest Shia city after Najaf, which is 70km south-east of the capital.Karbala, 80km (50 miles) south of Baghdad, is considered Iraq's second holiest Shia city after Najaf, which is 70km south-east of the capital.
Shias make pilgrimages to both locations, and bury their dead in large cemeteries there.Shias make pilgrimages to both locations, and bury their dead in large cemeteries there.
In March 2004, co-ordinated suicide bombings, mortar attacks and planted explosives hit Shia shrines in Karbala and Baghdad, killing at least 180 people and wounding hundreds more.In March 2004, co-ordinated suicide bombings, mortar attacks and planted explosives hit Shia shrines in Karbala and Baghdad, killing at least 180 people and wounding hundreds more.
Karbala resident Mushin al-Musawi told the BBC:
"That shouldn't have happened. Because Karbala is a small city and should be under control.
"But unfortunately because of the large number of visitors which sometime reaches around one million in one night, it seems it's very difficult to be controlled."
Other attacks were reported around Iraq on Saturday:
  • A car bomb kills three people in the northern city of Mosul
  • Two people die in a mortar attack in the mainly Shia suburb of Kadhimiya in Baghdad
  • Four civilians are killed in separate attacks by gunmen on crowds in Baquba, AFP news agency reports.
    • There has been a sharp upsurge in sectarian violence in Iraq since the start of the year.