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Suicide attack on Iraqi holy city | Suicide attack on Iraqi holy city |
(10 minutes later) | |
At least 40 people have been killed and 60 hurt in a suicide car bomb attack in Iraq's holy city of Karbala, police and medical sources say. | |
The attacker detonated explosives at a crowded bus station in the city close to a shrine holy to Shia Muslims, at around 0915 local time (0515 GMT). | |
Many of the casualties were said to be women or children. | |
Meanwhile in Baghdad at least eight people died in a car bomb attack on a bridge in the south of the city. | Meanwhile in Baghdad at least eight people died in a car bomb attack on a bridge in the south of the city. |
This follows a truck bomb attack which partially destroyed the Sarafiya bridge in northern Baghdad on Thursday, killing eight people. | |
Ambulances | Ambulances |
In the Karbala attack, witnesses said police were firing into the air to disperse crowds and clear the roads. | In the Karbala attack, witnesses said police were firing into the air to disperse crowds and clear the roads. |
Iraqi television aired footage in which rescue workers could be seen evacuating casualties. As many as 15 ambulances were said to be at the scene. | |
Hundreds of people were seen gathered around the ambulances and pounding their chests in grief. | |
The attack occurred about 200m from the Imam Hussein shrine, where the grandson of Islam's Prophet Muhammad is believed to be buried. | |
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the location of the attack makes it highly provocative. | The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says the location of the attack makes it highly provocative. |
Karbala, which is 80km south of Baghdad, is the destination of a Shia pilgrimage every March. | Karbala, which is 80km south of Baghdad, is the destination of a Shia pilgrimage every March. |
More than 100 people were killed during last month's pilgrimage. | More than 100 people were killed during last month's pilgrimage. |