Iran Pilgrims Break through Iraq Border Point

A mass of Iranian pilgrims heading to Iraq for religious rites broke down fences and injured border guards in a stampede, the interior ministry said on Monday, blaming Tehran.

The Zurbattiyah border point has seen heavy traffic as Shiite pilgrims cross from Iran to take part in mourning rituals for Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, who is buried in Iraq.

On Sunday, it was discovered that tens of thousands of people attempting to cross had not obtained visas, causing confusion, crowding and a stampede, the ministry said in a statement.

This led to the "smashing of the gates and fences and caused property losses and injured some of the border guards," it said.

"We hold the Iranian side responsible," the ministry said, saying the breach of the border was meant "to put pressure on the crossing officials to open the border illegally."

A fence was broken by a crowd of pilgrims at the same crossing last year.

Millions of people take part in Arbaeen commemorations each year. Huge numbers walk to the shrine city of Karbala leading to the closure of major roads in Baghdad and elsewhere in the country.

The rituals will culminate on Thursday, 40 days after the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, who was killed at Karbala in 680 AD.