At least 54 killed in Iraq suicide bomb attack

The death toll from a suicide bomb attack against a crowd of Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad, has risen to 54. More than 120 others were wounded.

The latest explosion in Iraq was targeted at pilgrims on their way to mark a Shiite holy day.

A female suicide bomber triggered the blast as she lined up to be searched by security guards at a checkpoint just inside a rest tent.

Tens of thousands of Shi'ite Muslims flooded the streets earlier, for the start of an arduous trek to Karbala, 80 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, for the religious rite of Arbain.

The ritual represents the end of 40 days of mourning for Imam Hussein, the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, who was killed during a battle at the site in the year 680.

The blast went off as officials warned of a possible increase in attacks by insurgents using new tactics to bypass bomb-detection methods.

Iraq is scheduled to hold general elections next month. The nation's government has beefed up security measures, but Shiite residents have become frequent targets recently.

Analysts believe the assaults are a setback to efforts by the Iraqi government to restore normalcy in the country. They say the violence is aimed at stoking sectarian strife, and undermining the Shiite-led government.