At least 31 people were killed and a further 100 injured in a stampede during the Shia Muslim ritual of Ashura in the Iraqi city of Kerbala, according to the country’s health ministry.
Initial reports suggested that a pedestrian walkway had collapsed, but additional bulletins suggest there was a stampede, though Iraqi officials have yet to confirm this.
Video from the scene shows the injured being stretchered away. While harrowing photos show piles of bodies among the dispersing crowds.
سقوط قتلى وجرحى بسبب التدافع أثناء زيارة عاشوراء في كربلاء
للمزيد: https://t.co/NTkgPjHLID#شاهد #اسأل_أكثر #أخبار #أخبار_روسيا #فيديو#RT_Arabic pic.twitter.com/SUAwd9zcxg
— RT Arabic (@RTarabic) September 10, 2019
Ashura is a Muslim holiday commemorating the death of the prophet Mohammed’s grandson, Imam Hussein, at a battle near Kerbala in the year 680. Every year, Shi’ite Muslims carry out a pilgrimage from all over the world to the holy site.
Iraqi Health Ministry: 31 dead in stampede at Iraqi Shia shrine.#Karbala #Ashura#كربلاء #عاشوراء pic.twitter.com/JLWlsE8Ytp
— Koshish Bestansuri (@Kbestansuri90) September 10, 2019
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Source: RT