DNA Test Needed to Identify Bodies of Hilla Attack: Iranian Diplomat
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Some of the bodies at a Thursday terrorist attack near Iraq’s city of Hilla that killed many people, including Iranians, are so badly burnt that DNA testing may be needed to identify the corpses, an Iranian deputy foreign minister announced.
Iran may need to use DNA testing to identify the citizens killed in a massive suicide truck bomb blast in Iraq, Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary and Expatriates' Affairs Hassan Qashqavi told Tasnim on Friday.
Representatives from Iran’s diplomatic missions in Iraq have been dispatched to the site of the attack to help identify the Iranian victims, he added, noting that it will take some time to announce the death toll and the number of those injured in the terrorist attack.
According to reports, at least 100 people have been killed and dozens wounded in the bomb blast at a gas station near the town of Hilla, 100 km (62 miles) south of Baghdad, on Thursday.
Dozens of Iranians, returning from Arbaeen pilgrimage in Karbala, have been pronounced dead in the attack.
Daesh (ISIL, also known as ISIS) terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assault.
The gas station has a restaurant on its premises that is popular with travelers. Five pilgrim buses were set afire by the blast from the explosives-laden truck, a police official said.
Iraq’s Joint Operations Command said the vehicle was packed with 500 liters of ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound used in many explosive devices.
