Double bombing kills 23 Shiite pilgrims in Iraq

An Iraqi man inspects vehicles damaged in a car bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Dec. 16, 2013. Iraqi officials say bombings in and around Baghdad have killed and wounded tens of people. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

An Iraqi man inspects damaged vehicles in a car bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, today.

BAGHDAD — Authorities in Iraq say a double car bomb attack has killed 23 Shiites pilgrims just south of Baghdad.

Police officials say today's attack took place in the southern Baghdad suburb of al-Rasheed as a group of Shiite pilgrims were walking to the holy Shiite city of Karbala. More than 55 people were wounded in the attack.

Medical officials confirmed the casualty figures. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to media.

Hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims are making their way to Karbala to commemorate Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning following the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Imam Hussein, a revered Shiite figure.