Death toll escalates in Baghdad explosion, 16 dead and 35 wounded

The death toll from explosions that tore through a mosque in Baghdad has escalated to 16 dead and 35 injured, Iraqi security officials reported.

The officials provided the updated toll today on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak to reporters.

The officials provided the updated toll Thursday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters.

A government statement said Wednesday’s blasts happened at a weapons depot in Sadr City. It says it is investigating. The neighbourhood is named after the family of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose bloc won the most seats in last month’s elections.

Read More: 17 years old Tamil Nadu girl commits suicide after the failure to clear the NEET

The vast, working-class district is a stronghold of his supporters, who battled U.S. troops in the years after the 2003 invasion.

No one bloc secured a majority in the May 12 elections, and the process of forming a new government could drag on for months.