Security tightened in Kerbala after bombings

ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq: Iraqi officials threw a massive security cordon around the Shiite holy city of Kerbala yesterday after a wave of bombings in 24 hours killed at least 25 Shiite worshippers and wounded dozens. The attacks came ahead of a festival tomorrow to venerate an eighth century imam.

A roadside bomb struck a minibus packed with pilgrims bound for Kerbala yesterday even as Iraqi authorities deployed thousands of police and soldiers to avert new violence in the annual rite. Police said one pilgrim was killed and nine were wounded in eastern Baghdad in the attack.