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Suicide Bomber Kills 30 in Iraqi Soccer Stadium, ISIS Reportedly Claims Responsibility

The mayor of Hilla, a small village south of Baghdad, was among the victims.

In a soccer stadium south of Bahgdad, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb that ripped through a crowd, killing at least 30 and wounding as many as 60 people, AFP reports. Fox News reports that ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The bombing came immediately in the wake of the Iraqi military claiming they had gained traction on their war against the terrorist cell, who had launched a series of attacks in and around the capital. The bombing took place 30 miles away from Baghdad in the city of Hilla, though victims are being treated in the nearby city of Iskanderiyah, AFP reports.

The explosion took place during a trophy award ceremony, according to local officials. "They were just handing the trophy to the winners, the suicide attacker blew himself up in the crowd," Hilla police captain Al-Asriya told AFP. The mayor of Hilla was among those who were killed.