41 killed in suicide attack in Baghdad

The bomber hid the explosives underneath an abaya a black cloak worn from head to toe by women – as she joined a group of pilgrims on the outskirts of the Shiite-dominated neighbourhood of Shaab,said Major General Qassim al-Moussawi,Baghdad’s top military spokesman.

A police official said 41,including a number of women and children were killed and 106 were wounded. Hospital officials in Baghdad confirmed the casualties.

All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to talk to the media.

Al-Moussawi put the toll at 19 killed and 80 wounded.

Conflicting casualty counts are common in Iraq in the aftermath of an attack. Witnesses described a chaotic scene in the minutes following the blast. Raheem Kadhom,35,was standing about 138 meters away when he says a huge fireball erupted among the pilgrims. Pilgrims were “on the ground,covered in blood and crying for help”,he said