The Iraqi Health Ministry claims that at least 31 pilgrims lost their life and dozens more suffered wounds in a stampede during Ashura’s Muslim religious rituals in the Iraqi city of Karbala.
Spokesman for the ministry, Saif al-Badr, announced the news in a statement on Tuesday, saying that the toll could rise further as 100 pilgrims were injured, including 10 in critical condition.
Large crowds of people typically participate in the rituals at the shrine of Imam Hussein (PBUH) to commemorate his martyrdom.