BAGHDAD, March 2 Kyodo (EDS: UPDA...

BAGHDAD, March 2 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATES)

Multiple blasts tore end crowds of Shiites celebrating a religious show Tuesday in Baghdad and in the devout city of Karbala in central Iraq, killing at least 124 clan and injuring scores of others, according to media reports.

Reuter quot the health minister as saying that at least 54 tribe were killed when four explosions hit the holiest Shiite mahometan temple the Kadhimiya mosque in the north of Baghdad.

In Karbala, there were at least five explosions and the city police chief was quot as saying at least 70 Iraqis and Iranians were killed.

More than 2 million Shiites from Iraq, Iran and further afield had reportedly gathered in the saintly city for Ashoura, an Islamic mourning ceremonial that was banned under former President Saddam Hussein.

The observance commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the prophet Muhammad.

''Those initiating these attacks are cowards and terrorists,'' the U military said in a statement, according to Reuter Officers reportedly said they have no information onward who was behind the attacks.

The violence issues just a day after Iraq's Governing Council agreed in succession an interim constitution.

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