Baghdad, June 16 (Xinhua-RHC) -- The death toll from two separate car bomb explosions targeting Shiite pilgrims on Saturday in Baghdad, climbed to a total of 20 killed and 44 pilgrims wounded, an Interior Ministry source reported.

The first attack occurred around midday when a booby-trapped car struck a procession of Shiite pilgrims at an intersection in Shula district in north-western Baghdad, killing up to 14 pilgrims and wounding 32 others, the source said on condition of anonymity.

About two hours later, a second car bomb hit Shiite pilgrims near Sanaa Square outside the holy Shiite shrine district of Kadhmiyah in northern Baghdad, killing at least six pilgrims and wounding 12, the same source said.

The pilgrims were marching on foot to return to their homes after they participated in the observation of one of the major Shiite rituals in the holy Shiite district of Kadhmiyah in northern part of the capital.

About 6 million pilgrims from many parts of Baghdad and other provinces have gathered near the Imam Mussa al-Kadhim shrine in Kadhmiyah district for the annual commemoration of the death of the 7th most sacred 12 Shiite Imams.

Share this article