Picture this: you are amidst the thousands of Shiite pilgrims on the dusty roads to Karbala, celebrating Arbaeen, when a sudden chemical leak sends alarms through the crowd. Early Sunday, a technical glitch at a local drinking water plant turned chlorine gas loose, and within minutes, over 600 people experienced breathing troubles. 😟
According to the Iraqi Health Ministry, 621 individuals were rushed to Karbala hospitals, the city just 110 km south of Baghdad. Major Abbas al-Zaidi, speaking to Xinhua, explained that ambulances and civil defense teams sprang into action, guiding victims from mild to moderate cases to safety. 🚑💨
Most of those affected were pilgrims, covering miles on foot in honor of Imam Hussein. Arbaeen marks the end of 40 days of mourning for the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, whose tragic death at Karbala in 680 AD still resonates across the Muslim world. 🌍✨
Despite the scare, local authorities say everyone has received proper care and is on the mend. Officials are now investigating the malfunction to prevent a repeat of this alarming accident. Here is hoping that the rest of the Arbaeen journey stays peaceful and that all pilgrims can continue their pilgrimage safely. 🙏
Reference(s):
Iraq reports over 600 cases of suffocation following chlorine gas leak
cgtn.com
