The Hindu : 150 killed in Iraq serial blasts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 03, 2004

Front Page

Front Page

150 killed in Iraq serial blasts

By Atul Aneja

The shocking scene moments after a bomb explosion, one of many, rocked the holy city of Karbala on Tuesday. — AP

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, MARCH 2. A series of explosions tore through crowds of Shia worshippers in Baghdad and the holy city of Karbala this morning, killing 150 people and injuring hundreds more.

At least four explosions rocked Karbala, where around a million people, including a large number of foreigners, especially Iranians, had assembled to observe the Ashura ceremony.

Members of the Iraqi security forces claimed that suicide bombers were responsible for two of the explosions, while they suspected the use of improvised explosive devices in the other two blasts. An estimated 85 people were killed in these attacks, sources in Karbala's Hussein hospital were quoted as saying. A large quantity of explosives was recovered close to the Baghdad gate, one of the main entrances to the city.

Eyewitnesses said the site of the blasts was some distance away from two of the holiest shrines in Karbala that are revered by Shias across the globe.

The Ashura, one of the most important dates on the Shia Muslim calendar, commemorates the killing of Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Mohammad, in a battle fought nearly 1,400 years ago.

Hundreds of thousands of Shias, chanting and flagellating themselves, were marching through the streets of Karbala when the multiple explosions struck. Soon after the detonations, television pictures showed body parts scattered in blood-soaked streets, burning bodies and waves of panic-stricken pilgrims running away from the scene. Many of the injured were huddled in wooden carts and transported to ambulances. Several others were taken to a medical facility set up by Iranians. Mosques in Karbala interrupted recitation of Quranic verses and called for blood donations. Despite the tragedy, a large number of worshippers went through with the ceremonies associated with Ashura, eyewitnesses said.

In Baghdad, at least three explosions rocked the Shia-dominated Kadhimiya district and at least one detonation took place in the courtyard of the Kadhimiya mosque where hundreds of worshippers had assembled, officials in the United States-appointed Iraqi Governing Council said. According to the Deputy Interior Minister in the Council, Ahmed Ibrahim, the Baghdad blasts killed 56 people and injured over 230.

`Foreigners' blamed

While there were apprehensions that today's incidents might trigger sectarian tensions, there has been no evidence so far that relations between Shias and Sunnis were souring. A cleric in the Kadhimiya mosque blamed the attacks on "foreigners."

As in the past when explosions have caused casualties, Iraqis reportedly blamed the U.S. occupation forces for the tragedy and for having a "hidden agenda" of fomenting an Iraqi civil war.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page

News Update

Stories in this Section

150 killed in Iraq serial blasts

Surveys hold out hope for the Congress

Advani's road show from March 10

Model code bar on Mufti

EC objects to Goa advertisement

37 killed in Quetta

Alvi expelled from BSP

35 held in Srinagar

Postponed