At least 20 Shia pilgrims were killed today in a car bomb explosion on the outskirts of the southern holy city of Karbala, an Iraqi police official said.

The official said dozens more have been wounded in the blast.

Attackers have targeted Shia pilgrims in several bomb blasts in recent days.

The latest blast comes during the culmination of a pilgrimage to the city south of Baghdad to mark a Shia holy day.

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11/03/2010: Al-Maliki takes early election lead
08/03/2010: Iraq waits for results after key election
08/03/2010: Obama congratulates Iraqis on over national vote
07/03/2010: 36 die as Iraqis defy intimidation to vote
07/03/2010: Iraq-election death toll rises to 25
07/03/2010: Eight die as Iraqis defy violence to vote
04/03/2010: Baghdad blasts kill 17 as voters go to the polls
03/03/2010: Iraq suicide bombers wreak havoc in linked attacks
22/02/2010: Iraqi family massacred in their home
18/02/2010: Nine killed in blast near Iraqi govt offices
12/02/2010: Iraq pilgrims killed by bomb blasts