ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Erbil civil defense directorate reported 19 fire-related deaths due to burns, self-immolation, and smoke inhalation in the first half of this year.
Erbil province has experienced 971 fires in the first six months of 2024, the directorate detailed, with 242 occurring within the city and 729 outside. Faulty fuel pumps also have sparked fires that consumed 12 vehicles.
In addition to the fire-related deaths, the directorate also recorded nine fatalities from drowning incidents. In the same period, 96 injuries were reported and 15 people in life-threatening situations were saved.
Iraq and the Kurdistan Region’s bazaars were the subject of major fires in recent months, injuring hundreds of people, burning hundreds of shops and storage units, and causing millions of dollars in damage.
A fire erupted at Erbil’s popular Qaysari Bazaar in May, burning down a total of 227 shops and seven storage units. More than 100 people were injured in the blaze, according to the governor’s office.
The fire at the Qaysari Bazaar was the second major fire in Erbil in the span of a month. Flames engulfed the popular Langa Bazaar in April, burning down the textile and clothing section and causing millions of dollars in damage.
Fires are a perennial concern in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. They are especially frequent in the summertime, with the scorching summer heat increasing fire risks.
Safety standards also are often ignored in the country, as buildings lack adequate fire extinguishers, evacuation routes, and emergency exits.
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