40 Shi’ite Pilgrims Dead in Two Powerful Explosions in Karbala
Nearly 40 people were killed as two powerful explosions targeted Shi’ite pilgrims in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala, reported Voice of America.
The attacks were the latest in a series of similar deadly bombings this week.
According to initial reports on state-owned TV, as Shi’ites gathered on Karbala for the culmination of their pilgrimage, powerful explosions took place, said report.
The coordinated attacks were the third major terror strike against Shi’ite pilgrims in only a week. In suicide bomging, nearly two dozen pilgrims were killed in Karbala on Wednesday. A female suicide-bomber detonated herself on Monday amid a throng of pilgrims, killing 41 and wounding dozens.
Report said quoting eyewitnesses that crowds of pilgrims were so thick in Karbala that even a minor blast could have killed and injured many.
Some of the people were killed as they fled the scene of the first explosion only to be killed in the second explosion, said report.
Iraqi officials said that more than 10 million pilgrims, visiting from Iran, Kuwait, Bahrein, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, were taking part in this year’s pilgrimage, said report.
Shi’ites are visiting Karbala to mark the 40th day after the slaying of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.
