68 killed in Iraq attacks

BAGHDAD: Attacks on Shiite Muslim pilgrims and neighbourhoods in Baghdad and southern Iraq killed at least 68 people on Thursday, the country's bloodiest day since August 15, officials said.

A suicide attack on pilgrims on the outskirts of the southern city of Nasiriyah killed 45 people and wounded 68 others, according to Hadi Badr al-Riyahi, head of the provincial health department in Dhi Qar, of which Nasiriyah is the capital.

Five bomb attacks on Shiite neighbourhoods in north Baghdad killed at least 23 more people and wounded dozens of others, officials from the ministries of interior and defence said.