Bombs kill 50 pilgrims in Iraq's Karbala

Baghdad: Iraqi police and hospital officials say 50 people have been killed in bombings at security checkpoints targeting pilgrims headed to a Shiite holy city for rituals.

The death toll was continuing to rise after Thursday afternoon bombings. As many as 175 people were believed to be wounded.

Authorities said the bombs exploded near at least two police checkpoints outside Karbala, located 55 miles (90 kilometres) south of Baghdad.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release the information.

Al-Qaida and other Sunni-dominated extremist groups frequently target Shiite pilgrimages in hopes of sparking new sectarian violence.