Death toll from attack on Shiite shrine in Iraq rises to 10

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041216/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestkarbala&cid=1514&ncid=1480

KARBALA, Iraq (AFP) - Ten people were killed and 40 wounded when a powerful bomb exploded near one of the holiest Shiite shrines in Iraq (news - web sites), according to the latest toll from hospital officials.

The blast occurred late Wednesday in the holy city of Karbala at a gate to the mausoleum of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad and a figure revered by Shiite Muslims.


The attack, which police said occurred as people were gathered for a funeral, raised fears of an upsurge of sectarian violence in the run-up to the January 30 elections.


"According to our latest information, 10 people were killed and 40 others wounded," hospital director Hassan Nasrallah said Thursday. Initial information after the attack Wednesday said seven people had died.