At least 56 pilgrims martyred in Karbala bomb blast

At least 56 pilgrims of holy shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) were martyred and scores of people injured when a suicide bomber exploded a bus at Karbala central station on Saturday.

Director General of Karbala"s Health Department Salim Kadhim said that those injured in the blast included 115 men and 43 women.

"Given that some of the wounded are in a critical condition, the number of martyrs are likely to increase," he told IRNA.

"The casualties are now being identified by the staff of the hospital and the full names of the Iranian citizens falling victim to the terrorist action will be declared once the list is completed," added the Iraqi health official.

IRNA reporter in Baghdad said that Iraqi health officials did not dismiss possibility of Iranian pilgrims to fall victims in the blast.