Suicide bomb kills 40 pilgrims and injures 60 in Iraq
Suicide bomb kills 40 in Iraq
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Sunday, 24, Feb 2008 06:05
A suicide bomber targeting shia pilgrims in the Iraqi town of Iskandariya has killed at least 40 people.
The blast happened on a main road, south of Baghdad. At least 60 people were injured in the attack.
Most of the casualties were hit by metal ball bearings, a doctor at a hospital in Hilla, 60 miles south of the capital, told Reuters news agency.
A wounded woman there said the attack happened in a tent where pilgrims were offered refreshments.
"When we reached the area people invited us into a tent to take some rest and have some food. When we entered, there was a huge ball of fire and we saw people lying on the ground," said Um Amr, who was being treated for multiple wounds.
It was the second attack on Sunday against pilgrims celebrating the religious festival of Arbaeen.
The first, in Baghdad, saw three killed and 49 wounded as a roadside bomb detonated with gunmen then opening fire.
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.