More than 600 Shiite pilgrims were briefly hospitalised in Iraq after suffering respiratory issues caused by a chlorine gas leak along a major religious pilgrimage route, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
The incident occurred overnight along the road linking the holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, a central pathway for millions of Shiite Muslims making the Arbaeen pilgrimage, a sacred event that commemorates the 40-day mourning period following the death of Imam Hussein, the Prophet Mohammed’s grandson.
According to Iraq’s Health Ministry, a total of 621 individuals experienced symptoms of asphyxia due to chlorine exposure:
“621 cases of asphyxia have been recorded following a chlorine gas leak in Karbala,” the ministry said in a statement.
“All have received the necessary care and left hospital in good health.”
Security officials responsible for protecting the pilgrimage routes confirmed that the leak originated from a water treatment facility along the Karbala-Najaf road:
“A chlorine leak from a water station on the Karbala-Najaf road was the cause of the incident,” officials said.
Fortunately, none of the affected pilgrims remained in critical condition, and health services responded swiftly to contain the situation.
The leak has raised renewed concerns over Iraq’s aging infrastructure, much of which has suffered from decades of war, neglect and corruption. Safety standards at public facilities are often poorly enforced.
In a recent example, a deadly fire at a shopping centre in the city of Kut claimed the lives of more than 60 people, with many reportedly dying from smoke inhalation in bathrooms.
