A powerful explosion killed at least seven people and wounded dozens in Kirkuk, while a US helicopter made an emergency landing south of Baghdad, security sources informed on Friday.

Kirkuk was rocked by a strong blast on Friday, a car bomb going off in a crowded market and killing at least seven civilians. More than 45 were injured by the savage explosion that caused damage to nearby vehicles and buildings, police sources reported.

During the morning hours, a helicopter belonging to the American forces deployed in Iraq made a forced landing for unknown reasons.

The US army said the aircraft was providing assistance to ground troops during a raid south of Baghdad, but had to land in a town 10 miles of the Iraqi capital. Two soldiers were reportedly injured in the incident, but their life isn’t in danger.

In other developments, Iraqi officials said that approximately one million persons travelled to the Shiite shrine of Imam Mussa al-Kadhim in Baghdad amid tight security measures.

The yearly pilgrimage ended on Friday without any major incidents after Baghdad was filled by Iraqi and coalition troops who ensured that people could travel safely from all over the country towards the shrine.