Major Blast in Karbala Murdered 20 Shiaa Visitors, Injures 120

The deadly attack took place on Wednesday when an explosive-laden cart pulled by a motorcycle went off, Reuters reported quoting Iraqi police officials, who noted that the death toll could rise.

The blast in Karbala came despite tightened security and large deployments of troops and security forces in and around the holy city, Press TV corresponded in Iraq Wisam al-Bayati said.

Strong security measures have also been introduced on the routes leading to Karbala, banning the movement of vehicles on the roads and allowing pilgrims to travel only on foot, he added.

The blast hit Shiaa visitors , including women and children, as they were traveling on foot from Hillah in Babil province to Karbala to take part in mourning ceremonies marking the 40th day after the Ashoura anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

The Iraqi government has strongly condemned the Wednesday bombing and promised to track down those behind the grizzly attack and bring them to justice.

Elsewhere, two separate roadside bombs targeted Shiaa visitors in the south and southwest of Baghdad, killing at least one person and wounding some four pilgrims.

The bombings are the latest in a string of attacks this week against the Shiaa Muslim pilgrims who are walking to Karbala, which hosts Imam Hussein's holy shrine.

On Monday, a female bomber blew up herself near a convoy of visitors in Baghdad, killing at least 54 people.