A police officer said Sunday's attack took place in Baghdad's Shiite-dominated Jadriyah neighbourhood on the Tigris River, where the explosive-laden bomber approached Shiites commemorating the 7th century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

A medical official confirmed the toll. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to release information to the press.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement carried by the IS-linked Aamaq news agency. The claim could not be independently verified.