Iraqi officials say at least 115 people, including children, have been killed by a devastating car bombing in the busy market of an Iraqi town, in one of the deadliest attacks carried out by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq.
The late July 17 blast brought down several buildings in Khan Bani Saad, about 30 kilometers northeast of Baghdad, as the mostly-Shi’ite victims had gathered for the Eid al-Fitr festival that marks the end of Ramadan.
The IS group claimed responsibility for the attack, and said the car was driven by a suicide bomber and loaded with three tons of explosives.
Angry crowds went on the rampage after the blast, smashing the windows of cars parked in the street in grief and anger.
In the wake of the attack, reports said security forces were out in full force across Diyala Province, while local authorities cancelled the Eid celebrations and declared three days of mourning for the victims.