Six killed, 53 wounded in Karbala clashes

KARBALA: Six people were killed and 53 wounded in deadly firefights between police and gunmen during a crowded religious festival in the Iraqi shrine city of Karbala on Tuesday, a senior medical official said.   

Salim Kadhim, director of health services in Karbala, informed that the wounded had been taken to two different hospitals in the city, which was flooded with Shiite pilgrims.   

"Six people were killed and 53 were wounded," he said, adding that most of the victims had suffered gunshot wounds.   

All of the casualties were civilians.