OVER 600 PILGRIMS HOSPITALISED AFTER CHLORINE LEAK ON NAJAF–KARBALA ROUTE IN IRAQ
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
More than 600 pilgrims in Iraq were briefly hospitalised with respiratory problems following a chlorine leak at a water treatment station, authorities said on Sunday.
The incident occurred overnight along the route between the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala in central and southern Iraq.
Millions of Shiite Muslim pilgrims are expected to travel to Karbala this year for Arbaeen, a major religious observance marking the 40-day mourning period for Imam Hussein, grandson of Prophet Mohammed, and his brother Abbas.
According to health officials, all affected pilgrims received medical attention and were later discharged in good health.
Security forces tasked with protecting the pilgrims confirmed the leak originated from a water station on the Karbala–Najaf road.
The incident highlights Iraq’s ageing and poorly maintained infrastructure, a result of decades of conflict and corruption, with lax enforcement of safety standards.
In July, a massive fire at a shopping mall in the eastern city of Kut killed more than 60 people, many of whom died from suffocation.
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