Suicide bomber kills 41 in Baghdad

An Iraqi police official says a female suicide bomber walking among Shiite pilgrims in northern Baghdad has detonated an explosives belt, killing at least 41 people.

The official says the bomber struck on Monday as the pilgrims were walking near the Shiite neighbourhood of Shaab. He says that about 106 people have been wounded.

A hospital official also confirmed the casualties. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media.

Maj. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, Baghdad’s top military spokesman, said 19 people were killed and 80 wounded.

Conflicting casualty counts are common in the aftermath of an attack.

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims are going to Karbala to mark a revered Shiite day.