More than 600 Shia pilgrims hospitalised due to chlorine gas leak in Iraq

Authorities accidental the incidental happened overnight betwixt the 2 Shia beatified cities of Najaf and Karbala.

More than 600 Shia pilgrims successful Iraq person been concisely hospitalised with respiratory problems aft inhaling chlorine arsenic the effect of a leak astatine a h2o attraction station, according to authorities.

The incidental took spot overnight connected the way betwixt the 2 Shia beatified cities of Najaf and Karbala, successful the centre and southbound of Iraq, respectively.

This year, respective cardinal Shia Muslim pilgrims are expected to marque their mode to Karbala, which houses the shrines of the revered Imam Hussein and his member Abbas.

There, they volition people the Arbaeen, the 40-day play of mourning during which Shia commemorate the decease of Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

‘All pilgrims treated’

In a little statement, Iraq’s Ministry of Health said “621 cases of asphyxia person been recorded pursuing a chlorine state leak successful Karbala.

“All person received the indispensable attraction and near infirmary successful bully health,” it added.

Security forces charged with protecting pilgrims said the incidental had been caused by “a chlorine leak from a h2o presumption connected the Karbala-Najaf Road”.

Much of Iraq’s infrastructure is successful disrepair owed to decades of wars, interior conflicts and corruption, with adherence to information standards often lacking.

In July, a huge occurrence astatine a buying centre successful the eastbound metropolis of Kut killed much than 60 people, galore of whom suffocated successful the toilets, according to authorities.