Islam Times - 42 Killed in Karbala

42 people have been killed and 150 others injured during a blast that struck the holy city on the auspicious event of Arba’in despite tight security measures.

Reports have come in stating that a car-bomb exploded in the al-Shibanat district which is located about four kilometers east of Karbala. Three Iraqi army vehicles were also destroyed.

But, Provincial Governor Amalheddin al-Hir said that a mortar had been fired from an area northeast of the shrine. This mortar is said to have caused the mortalities.

It is still unclear exactly what happened as Associated Press reporters are saying that two bombings took place – the first a car bomb and the second a suicide bomb targeting those fleeing from the first bomb.

The culprit has not come forward as of yet, but Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki blamed Al-Qaeda and Saddam loyalists for the attacks.

Millions of people gathered in Karbala on this day from dozens of countries including Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Afghanistan, United States of America, and England.