Explosion wounds 19 and destroys car in Pakistan

An explosion has rattled Pakistan's southern city of Karachi, wounding 19 people and destroying a car.

The incident was an apparent attack on minority Shiite Muslims, ahead of one of their most important religious rituals.

The blast went off as a group of worshippers staged a procession to usher in Ashura, the biggest religious event on the Shiites' calendar. A bomb disposal squad in Karachi says the explosion left a small crater on the road.

Officials are confirming that 19 injured people including women and children have been hospitalized. One woman and a child are in critical condition.

Ashura has become a flashpoint for deadly attacks by Sunni militants in recent years. Police have stepped up security in the run-up to the event, whose climax will be on Monday.

Local residents and rescue workers gather beside a damaged car after an explosion in Karachi, Pakistan on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)