Two consecutive explosions have rocked the Iraqi holy city of Karbala, leaving 26 people injured in the shrine city.

The incident happened early Wednesday when two bombs went off within minutes of each other at a restaurant in the city.

Police officials said the first bomb targeted diners inside the restaurant in central Karbala around 9:00 am (0600 GMT), injuring several people.

But a second bomb minutes later struck after an ambulance and medics arrived to help the wounded, causing most of the casualties.

A senior health official for Karbala province said that at least 26 people were wounded in the attacks, AFP reported.

Karbala, located 110 kilometers (69 miles) south of the capital Baghdad, hosts the shrine of the third Shia Imam.

MRS/AKM