A double bombing Friday in the southern city of Karbala killed at least 32 people and wounded over 100 as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims commemorated a major Shiite Muslim holy day.
The attack took place at the eastern entrance to the city as pilgrims from around Iraq were leaving the commemorations in the city center. First a car bomb exploded near a hospitality tent erected to offer refreshments, killing 10 people, according to Karbala police. Moments later a suicide bomber driving a car plowed into the carnage left by the first explosion, and killed another 22.
It was the third major attack against pilgrims this week, and coincided with a sharp escalation in violence ahead of crucial national elections due in March. LAT