Dozens killed, scores injured in Baghdad suicide bombing

According to reports, the attack took place in the Wahailat market in Sadr City and the death toll could rise as some of the wounded were in critical condition.

More than 60 people were wounded, a police source said. Women and children were also among the dead and some shops reduced to ashes as a result of the explosion.

Body parts of victims lay scattered across the market, which had been crowded with shoppers buying food ahead of the Islamic festival.

It is the third time this year that a bombing hits a market in the densely populated neighbourhood of Sadr City.

Iraq’s interior ministry said in a statement, “A terror attack using a locally made IED (improvised explosive device) was responsible”.

Video footage shared on social media after the blast showed bloodied victims and people screaming in terror.

Moreover, the armed group ISIL (ISIS) in a message posted to its Telegram channel claimed responsibility for the attack, saying one of its fighters blew up his explosive vest among the crowds.