Iraqi police: 10 Shiite pilgrims killed in motorcycle bomb blast in Karbala

Iraqi police: 10 killed in Karbala blast

BAGHDAD — A bomb on a parked motorcycle exploded early Wednesday on the outskirts of the holy city of Karbala, killing at least 10 Shiite pilgrims and wounding around 25 others, officials said.

The blast was the latest in a string of attacks this week that have targeted pilgrims making their way to an important Shiite religious observance in Karbala, raising fears of a spike in attacks when the pilgrimage culminates Friday.

The bomb exploded at about 11 a.m. in an area known as Ibrahimia, near the east entrance — one of three — into Karbala, the official said. The city is located 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Baghdad.

At least 25 people were wounded in the attack, the official said, adding that the area was clogged with pilgrims and the number of casualties could increase.

A hospital official in Karbala confirmed the number of dead and wounded.

Earlier Wednesday, two separate roadside bombs targeting Shiite pilgrims exploded in Baghdad, killing one and wounding seven others, a security official in the capital said.

The official says the first attack took place Wednesday at about 6:15 a.m. in western Baghdad, killing one person and wounding three. He says a second explosion in southwest Baghdad wounded four pilgrims.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.

Wednesday’s attacks follow a suicide bombing two days earlier north of Baghdad that killed 54 Shiite pilgrims.