(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130103-karbala-11a.photoblog600.jpg)Hadi Mizban / APVictims of Thursday's car-bombing in Iraq were returned from the Shiite festival of Arbaeen, which is shown in Karbala. By NBC News wire servicesUpdated at 1:30 p.m. ET -- A car-bomb explosion tore through a crowd of Shiite pilgrims returning home Thursday from a religious commemoration, killing at least 27 and reinforcing fears of renewed sectarian violence, according to Iraqi officials.
The blast erupted late in the afternoon in the town of Musayyib, about 40 miles south of the Iraqi capital. It targeted worshipers returning from the Shiite holy city of Karbala following the climax of the religious commemoration known as Arbaeen.
Children were among the 20 people confirmed killed, according to a police official. At least 60 people were wounded.
The bomb went off in the middle of a gathering of pilgrims changing buses coming from Karbala on their way to other destinations in the country, according to police.
NBCNews