The dead are mostly civilians who had gathered at a market to celebrate the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. According to officials speaking on condition of anonymity, 40 people were also wounded in the attack in the town of Khan Beni Saad, AFP reported.
Diyala province has been partially controlled by the self-proclaimed Islamic State terror group since 2014.
80+ killed as #ISIS detonate car bomb at busy Diyala market http://t.co/80hoYXh7Qf (Ar) #Iraq pic.twitter.com/cilHUsLWCl
— Hayder al-Khoei (@Hayder_alKhoei) July 17, 2015
At least 14 people were killed and 18 wounded last month when a car bomb exploded close to a market in the town of Balad Ruz, the provincial capital.
