Officials: At least 17 dead in Baghdad car bomb

Shiite pilgrims march toward the Imam Mousa al-Kadhim shrine to commemorate the anniversary of the Imam's death in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, April 29, 2016. The anniversary of the 8th-century Imam's death draws tens of thousands of Shiites from all walks to converge on his golden-domed shrine in northern Baghdad. The pilgrims typically march to the shrine while hundreds of tents are erected to offer them free food, drinks and services. (AP Photo/Ali Abdul Hassan) (The Associated Press)

BAGHDAD – Police and hospital officials say at least 17 are dead and 35 wounded in a Baghdad car bomb targeting civilians in the city's southeast.

Local police officials at the scene said the attack targeted Shiite pilgrims walking to Baghdad's holy Kadhimiyah shrine, but other Iraqi security officials say the attack targeted an open-air market. The two accounts could not be immediately reconciled.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the press.

Thousands of Shiite pilgrims from across Iraq are expected to descend on the shrine on foot over the coming days.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for similar attacks targeting Shiite pilgrims and civilians in Baghdad's Shiite neighborhoods.