People are often killed in the crush as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims jostle their way through tunnels and over bridges to complete the various rituals that form the pilgrimage.

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The attack took place around noon between the towns of Iskandariya and Mussayib, south of the capital, Baghdad, as hundreds of thousands of Shia pilgrims are making their way to Karbala for Arbaeen, one of the holiest Shiite events.

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Before the beatification began, there were chaotic scenes as more and more pilgrims jostled to find a way into the square, says the BBC's Peter Gould, who was at the ceremony.

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The pilgrims are among tens of thousands of Shiites making their way to northern Baghdad's Kadhimiya Shrine.

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Held in the evening, outside of the Coliseum, pilgrims huddle together, holding candles as clergymen make their way around the imperial amphitheatre and up to Palatine Hill, where the service concludes.

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Around late afternoon, we made our way out of the hotel lobby to film some pilgrims at prayer in the shopping area around the Grand Mosque.

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Either way, for the local economy, the absence of pilgrims is hitting hard.

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