Iraq: explosion near Shiite mosque kills at least 12

Iraq: explosion near Shiite mosque kills at least 12

The bomb exploded about 7:15 a.m. near the shrine of Maitham al-Tamar and 500 meters (yards) from the Kufa mosque. Local government official Iyad Abu Kulal said four people were killed and 15 were wounded, but he expected the death toll to rise.

Police Capt. Salim Ghanim said later that 12 people were killed and 37 wounded, including several Iranian pilgrims visiting the holy area, the AP reports.