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At least 31 people have been killed in a deadly stampede at a religious festival in Iraq.

More than 100 have been injured after pilgrims were crushed during the Shia holy day of Ashura in the city of Karbala.

The ceremony sees millions travel to Karbala to mark the death of Imam Husayn, grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

Ashura worshippers often cut themselves as as a sign of their faith and devotion to Husayn.

Reports say the pilgrims were crushed as thousands recreated a battle in the city's narrow streets.

(Image: EPA)

(Image: Screengrab)

A spokesman for Karbala told the BBC that as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims ran through the streets, one person stumbled and fell other, causing others to fall and triggering the deadly stampede.

Security officials have said a walkway collapsed during the crush.

Authorities have warned the death toll is likely to rise.

Karbala, around 62 miles south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad, was the site of a major battle in the year 680, which led to Husayn's death.

(Image: Getty)

(Image: Getty)

The day is marked as a national holiday in several countries, including Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan.

One of the rituals is called the "Tuwairij run" which sees pilgrims run down the streets towards the Imam Hussein Mosque.

It commemorates the run from the ancient village of Tuwairij to Karbala, undertaken during the seventh century battle by the cousins of Husayn's half-brother Abbas.

The event has been the target of terror attacks in the past.

In 2004, more than 140 died after a number of bombs were set off at shrines in Karbala and Baghdad during Ashura.

The next year, at least 965 pilgrims died in a stampede on a Bridge in Baghdad during a different Shia holy day.

Panic had been sparked after rumours spread that suicide bombers were among the crowds.