A woman detonated an explosives vest she was wearing underneath her black abaya on Monday, killing 41 Shia pilgrims in north-east Baghdad.
A fireball erupted among a group of pilgrims making their way to Karbala, 50 miles from Baghdad, witnesses said. At least 106 others were injured in the attack.
Witness Raheem Kadhom said pilgrims were “crying for help” as they lay injured on the ground in the Shaab neighbourhood, AP reported.
Others helped by taking them to hospitals in cars rather than waiting for ambulances, Mr. Kadhom said.
Pilgrims were gathering to mark Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning for the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, many believe Sunni insurgents are responsible.
Security forces are on high-alert this week in anticipation of any further violence as the religious holiday comes to a head on Friday.
Last year, during Arbaeen 32 pilgrims were killed by another female suicide bomber—an attack that was blamed on Sunni militants.
Monday’s attack comes at a time of heightened sectarian tension in Iraq. The country will go to the polls in March and 500 candidates have been barred from standing for office because of their alleged links to Saddam Hussein’s outlawed Baath Party.
Although the list of candidates includes both Sunnis and Shias, the Sunni community feels unfairly targeted by the ruling.
