A massive suicide blast at a Shiite mosque in Kabul killed at least 27 people Monday and wounded 35 as worshippers gathered for a religious ceremony, officials said.

The attacker was among worshippers inside the mosque when he detonated the bomb, senior police official Fridon Obaidi said, giving the toll.

Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said the blast occurred around 12.30 pm (0800 GMT). Police cordoned off the area around the Baqirul Olum mosque in the west of the Afghan capital as ambulances rushed to the scene.

President Ashraf Ghani said in a statement he strongly condemned the “barbaric” attack.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for Monday’s blast.

Worshippers were gathering for the major Shiite ceremony of Arbaeen, marking the end of a 40-day mourning period after Ashura, which commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (a.s.)

Millions of faithful pilgrims gather each year in the holy Iraqi city of Karbala for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, one of the world’s largest religious events. Officials there have said they expect up to 20 million visitors this year.

Source: AFP