Iraq terrorist bombing toll rises to 52
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Baghdad, March 18, IRNA
Iraq-Terrorist Bombing
An Iraqi health official says the death toll in Monday's bombing in Karbala has risen to 52.
The bomb exploded near the shrine of Imam Hussein (AS), a pilgrimage center for Shia Muslims.
Early reports identified a female suicide bomber as the perpetrator, but the Karbala police chief said it had been a bomb planted in a crowded area.
About 75 people were injured in the blast.
Seven Iranians are believed to be among the dead, health officials say.
IRNA reporter in Baghdad said that pools of blood could be seen at the site of the explosion.
The city has seen deadly bomb attacks in the past, with about 100 people killed in two blasts last April.
Officials suspect al-Qaeda insurgents were behind the bombing, but no group has claimed responsibility.
In the Iraqi capital Baghdad, a mortar attack by unidentified insurgents killed five people and wounded seven on a football pitch.
Earlier in the day, bombs in and around the city killed at least two Iraqi civilians and two US soldiers.
The attacks came during a visit to Iraq by the US Vice-President, Dick Cheney.
Bomb attacks on Karbala:
March 17, 2008: Terrorist bombing kills 52, injures 75.
April 28, 2007: A car bomb kills at least 55, injures about 70.
April 14, 2007: A suicide bomber kills at least 42, injures at least 150.
January 5, 2006: A suicide bomber kills at least 60, injures more than 100.
March 2, 2004: Bombs kill at least 85, injure 230.
As a city holy to Shia Muslims, Karbala attracts pilgrims from neighbouring Shia-majority Iran, and the mainly Shia south of Iraq.
Aqeel Khazali, governor of Karbala province, confirmed the bomber had been a woman but gave few other details.
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