Shiite Muslims gather outside the golden-domed shrine of Imam Moussa al-Kadhim during a Muharram procession in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
The Associated Press
BEIRUT (AP) - The Latest on the Ashoura holiday (all times local):
4:50 p.m.
Iraq's state-run TV channel, citing Iraq's Health Ministry, says the death toll from a stampede in the Shiite holy city of Karbala has climbed to 31.
Another 100 people were injured in the incident which security officials told The Associated Press happened when part of a walkway collapsed during Ashoura commemorations Tuesday.
The incident happened toward the end of the Ashoura procession, causing panic and a stampede. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give official statements.
By Qassim Abdul-Zahra.
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4:25 p.m.
Iraq's state-run TV channel, citing Iraq's Health Ministry, says the death toll from a stampede in the Shiite holy city of Karbala has climbed to 17.
Another 75 people were injured in the incident which security officials told The Associated Press happened when part of a walkway collapsed during Ashoura commemorations Tuesday.
The incident happened toward the end of the Ashoura procession, causing panic and a stampede. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give official statements.
By Qassim Abdul-Zahra.
___
4:10 p.m.
Iraqi security officials say at least 12 people have been killed when part of a walkway collapsed during Ashoura commemorations in the Shiite holy city of Karbala.
The officials say 50 others were injured in Tuesday's incident, which happened toward the end of the Ashoura procession, causing panic and a stampede. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give official statements.
Tens of thousands of people converge on the holy city for the occasion, one of the most sacre religious holy days for the Shiite sect.
The somber day of Ashoura commemorates the killing of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, the Imam Hussein, by a rival Muslim faction in Karbala in present day Iraq, in 680 A.D.
By Qassim Abdul-Zahra.
___
11:10 a.m.
Shiite Muslims around the world are observing Ashoura, one of the most sacred religious holy days for their sect.
Hundreds of thousands of people in Iraq, Iran and Lebanon are marking the day with rallies, prayers and self-flagellation.
Ashoura commemorates the killing of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, the Imam Hussein, by a rival Muslim faction in Karbala in present day Iraq, in 680 A.D.
Hussein and his descendants are seen by Shiites as the rightful heirs to the prophet. Hussein's killing has been is attributed with cementing the schism between Shiite and Sunni Islam.
This year's somber commemoration comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East and the crisis between Iran and the U.S. in the wake of the collapsing nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
Actors perform Tazieh, a traditional play re-enacting the death of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and 72 of his companions, a day ahead of Ashoura, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
In this combination photo of six photographs shows Shiite Muslims beat themselves with chains during a Muharram procession, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims visit the Karti Sakhi Shrine a day before Ashoura, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The Associated Press
Shiite women beat their chests during a Muharram procession, in Peshawar, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad) (AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)
The Associated Press
Pakistani Shiite Muslims beat their chests during a Muharram procession, in Quetta, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt)
The Associated Press
A girl watches Shiite children beat themselves with chains during a Muharram procession in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims flagellate themselves during a Muharram procession, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)
The Associated Press
A woman weeps while watching Tazieh, a traditional play re-enacting the death of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and 72 of his companions, a day ahead of Ashoura, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
Actors perform Tazieh, a traditional play re-enacting the death of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and 72 of his companions, a day ahead of Ashoura, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
Black-clad Shiite Muslims mourn in a ceremony a day ahead of Ashoura, at the old main bazaar, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims attend the mid-day prayer prior to a Muharram procession at a mosque, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims flagellate themselves with knives on chains during a Muharram procession, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
The Associated Press
Black-clad Shiite Muslims beat their chests during a mourning ceremony a day ahead of Ashoura, at the old main bazaar, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
A woman weeps while watching Tazieh, a traditional play re-enacting the death of Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad and 72 of his companions, a day ahead of Ashoura, in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims flagellates himself with knives on chains during a Muharram procession in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims participate in a Muharram procession, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims boys beat their chest with others during a Muharram procession, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims beat themselves with chains during a Muharram procession, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims beat themselves with chains during a Muharram procession, in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
The Associated Press
Black-clad Shiite Muslims attend a mourning ceremony a day ahead of Ashoura, at the old main bazaar, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
Shiite Muslims beat themselves with chains during a Muharram procession in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
The Associated Press
Black-clad Shiite Muslims beat their chests during a mourning ceremony a day ahead of Ashoura, at the old main bazaar, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
Black-clad Shiite Muslims attend a mourning ceremony a day ahead of Ashoura, at the old main bazaar, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
Black-clad Shiite Muslims mourn in a ceremony a day ahead of Ashoura, at the old main bazaar, in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Ashoura falls on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, when Shiites mark the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
The Associated Press
A Shiite Muslim beats himself with chains during a Muharram procession in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, is a month of mourning for Shiites in remembrance of the death of Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in present-day Iraq in the 7th century. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed)
The Associated Press