Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

Eyewitnesses to Friday's twin bombings say the crowds of pilgrims were so thick in Karbala that even a minor explosion could have killed or wounded many. Two powerful explosions targeting Shi'ite pilgrims in Iraq have killed more than 40 people in the holy city of Karbala. The attack was the latest in a series of similar deadly bombings this week.

Iraqi government TV carried initial reports from the scene of the explosions, which targeted thousands of Shi'ites as they converged on Karbala for the culmination of their pilgrimage.

The coordinated attack was the third major terror strike against Shi'ite pilgrims in just under a week. Almost two dozen pilgrims were killed in a suicide-bombing in Karbala on Wednesday. On Monday a female suicide-bomber blew herself up amid a throng of pilgrims, killing 41 and wounding dozens.

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