At least 41 people have been killed and 106 injured by a female suicide bomber¹ in north-east Baghdad, an interior ministry² spokesman has said.

伊拉克内务部发言人称，巴格达东北部地区一位女性自杀式炸弹袭击造成至少41人死亡，106人受伤。

Women and children were among the pilgrims injured

The woman detonated引爆 an explosives vest among a group of pilgrims朝圣者 making the journey to Karbala, 80km from Baghdad. A witness described seeing a fireball.

The Shia pilgrims were marking Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning for the death of Prophet先知，预言者 Muhammad's grandson.

Troops and police are on alert during the pilgrimage.

The bomber had hidden the explosives under her abaya长袍 - a long, black over-garment衣服，服装, Maj Gen Qassim al-Moussawi told the Associated Press news agency.

Witness Raheem Kadhom said pilgrims were "crying for help" as they lay injured on the ground in the Shaab neighbourhood, AP美联社 reported.

Others helped by taking them to hospitals in cars rather than waiting for ambulances, Mr Kadhom said.

Security has also been increased around the revered³尊敬，敬畏 Imam Hussein shrine⁴ in Karbala during the annual festival, which culminates使结束，达到顶点 on Friday.

Pre-election tension

In recent years the pilgrimage has been the target of similar attacks, blamed on Sunni extremists.

Twelve months ago, 32 pilgrims were killed by a female suicide bomber near Baghdad.

Monday's attack comes amid heightened tension between Sunni and Shia groups ahead of parliamentary议会的，国会的 elections scheduled for March.

About 500 candidates have been barred from standing⁶ for office because of their alleged所谓的，声称的 links to Saddam Hussein's outlawed⁸ Baath Party.

Although the list does include candidates from both sides, Sunni political groups feel disproportionately不成比例地 targeted by the exclusions⁹除外条款.