Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq 　

Residents gather grocery items from a destroyed shop after a car bomb attack in northern Baghdad's Shaab district Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BAGHDAD, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from a car bomb explosion targeting Shiite pilgrims in northeastern Baghdad on Saturday rose to six, with ten others injured, an Interior Ministry source said.

    "Our latest reports said that six people were killed and ten others wounded by the car bomb blast in the Shaab neighborhood," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

A police officer looks at the remains of a vehicle used in a car bomb attack in northern Baghdad's Shaab district Aug. 16, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The incident occurred when a booby-trapped car bomb detonated in the morning at a parking-lot of minibuses that pick up Shiite pilgrims from the predominately Shiite neighborhood of Shaab to the holy city of Karbala, some 110 km south of Baghdad, the source said.

    The blast also damaged several nearby vehicles, he said.

    Earlier, the source put the toll at three people killed and six wounded.

A police officer and residents look at destroyed vehicles after a car bomb attack in northern Baghdad's Shaab district Aug.16, 2008. Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The latest wave of bombings targeting Shiite pilgrims since Thursday killed some 32 people and wounded more than 130, most of whom pilgrims, despite massive security measures.

    Every year, thousands of Shiite pilgrims converge on Karbala to celebrate the birth in the 9th century of Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi, last of 12 most revered Shiite Imams.

    Shiites believe that Imam Mahdi is hidden and never dies, and according to their belief he will return at the end of the time to bring peace and justice to the mankind.

    In August 2007, Karbala was the scene of turmoil when clashes broke out between pilgrims and security forces. The chaos resulted in the killing of 50 people and the wounding of more than 300 others.