Reaction: Britain, which holds the presidency of the European Union, yesterday condemned the mortar attacks on Shia pilgrims in Baghdad which led to the stampede.
"This is a most shocking and terrible tragedy, initiated by terrorism, and its scale almost defies imagination. On behalf of the United Kingdom and the European Union, I would like to offer my sympathy to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones," said Britain's foreign secretary, Jack Straw.
Mr Straw continued: "I condemn utterly this despicable act of terrorism against innocent civilians just as I condemn those who continue to use violence and terror more widely in order to further their aims in Iraq. The depravity of these individuals who commit these acts of terrorism against their fellow Muslims sadly knows no bounds." - (PA)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, expressed his shock at the tragedy yesterday evening.
"I am deeply saddened at this truly horrendous loss of life. Our thoughts are with the families of those who died. It is doubly a tragedy that such a calamity has befallen people during a holy day of such significance to Shia Muslims," Mr Ahern said.
"I find it particularly disturbing that it appears that the tragedy was triggered by rumours of suicide-bombers among the crowd. This rumour was all the more credible since terrorists had already fired mortars into the crowd of pilgrims earlier in the day, killing at least 16 people.
"Far too often we have had reason to be outraged by the inhuman and cowardly actions of such terrorists, both in Iraq and elsewhere in the region. Today's cynical and deliberate attack on an entire community on one of its holiest days represents an appalling new low."