Story highlights
ISIS claims it attacked Shiite militias
Hundreds of people were at the market getting ready to celebrate the end of Ramadan
The attack is one of the deadliest in Iraq in recent months
At least 86 people were killed and 116 others were wounded Friday evening when a truck loaded with explosives exploded at a busy outdoor market in Khan Bani Saad, Iraq, police and health officials in Baquba said.
Ali al-Tamimi, the general director of the Diyala Health Directorate, confirmed the death toll. He and two police officials in Khan Bani Saad blamed the attack on a suicide bomber.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, one of the deadliest in recent months in Iraq, in a post on Twitter.
The Islamist terror group said it had targeted a gathering of Shiite militias in the town, which is in Diyala province. Most of the residents are Shiites.
Hundreds of people were shopping at the main outdoor market as they readied for Eid al-Fitr, a joyous Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. Saturday is the first day of Eid for Shiites.
Videos posted on social media show a large swath of fire at the scene, with bodies and debris over a wide area. Several multistory buildings appeared to have been heavily damaged by the blast.
Khan Bani Saad is about 35 kilometers (21 miles) north of Baghdad.
CNN’s Hamdi Alkhshali and Jomana Karadsheh contributed to this report.