A suicide attack on Shiite pilgrims on the outskirt of the main southern Iraqi city of Basra killed at least 20 people on Saturday, at the conclusion of Arbaeen commemorations, officials said.

A police major in the city put the toll from the 9:00 am (0600 GMT) bombing at 20 killed and 15 wounded, while a medic at Basra's Sadr Hospital said there were 25 dead and 40 wounded.

Both spoke on condition of anonymity.