More than 50 people injured when a hand grenade was thrown into a tent at a political rally in Baquba

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

A suicide bomber has killed at least 22 people and wounded more than 50 in an attack at a political rally in Baquba, local police and health officials have said.

The attack began when a hand grenade was thrown into a tent in the Iraqi city, which is about 40 miles north-east of Baghdad, Reuters reported.

Local councilman Sadiq al-Huseini said the bomber detonated his explosives as one of the candidates, Muthana al-Jourani, was hosting lunch for supporters on Saturday.

Violence is expected to surge in the lead up to Iraq's provincial elections on 20 April.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but such attacks are the hallmark of al-Qaida militants seeking to undermine confidence in the Shiite-led government.