Mass Chlorine Gas Leak in Karbala Sickens Over 620 People
A chlorine leak near Karbala's sewerage project caused mass respiratory distress, with 621 treated and released. Iraqi officials report the situation is now contained, the leak originated from a water department facility on Karbala–Najaf route.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraq’s Ministry of Health on Saturday confirmed that 621 people suffered respiratory distress following a chlorine gas leak in the holy city of Karbala. The ministry said all affected individuals received the necessary medical treatment and were discharged from hospitals in stable condition.
Medical staff at Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital in Karbala were placed on high alert as numerous patients arrived exhibiting symptoms of poisoning. The incident occurred under unclear circumstances, raising concerns over potential deterioration in the condition of some victims.
According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the Supreme Security Committee for Mass Pilgrimages earlier announced that minor suffocation cases had been recorded due to a chlorine leak along the Karbala–Najaf road.
Brig. Gen. Muqdad Miri, spokesperson for the committee, stated that the suffocation cases reported were limited and were promptly addressed by civil defense teams and emergency medical responders.
He explained that the leak originated from a water department facility located near utility pole 1200 on the Karbala–Najaf route. “The situation was fully brought under control and the incident was concluded without any significant repercussions,” Miri said.
Separately, Karbala Governor Nassif al-Khattabi announced that complete control had been achieved over the chlorine gas leak at the Karbala Unified Sewerage Project, situated between the provinces of Karbala and Najaf.
In a statement from his media office, al-Khattabi praised the swift response of the civil defense and emergency medical services, commending their efficiency in containing the situation.
