13 Jun 2012

More than 60 die in attacks across Iraq

10:46 pm on 13 June 2012

Police in Iraq say at least 62 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in a wave of bomb attacks in Baghdad and elsewhere in the country.

The BBC reports the blasts hit 10 locations in the Iraqi capital where many of the dead were Shia pilgrims gathering for a religious festival.

In Hilla, two car bombs exploded near a restaurant, killing at least 19 people.

Three bombs exploded in Kirkuk, with one of them targeting the headquarters of Kurdish president Massoud Barzani. One person died and many were injured in that attack.

There has been a wave of attacks on the Shia community in recent days, as it marks the anniversary of the death of Shia imam Moussa al-Kadhim.

A man who witnessed one of the attacks in Baghdad said a car bomb had targeted pilgrims and had also hit people who were working in the city.

The restaurant that came under attack in Hilla is said to be frequented by police.

There are also reports of bombs in Al-Azizyah, south of Baghdad, in Mosul, and another north of Kerbala.

It is not yet clear who is responsible for Wednesday's attacks.