UPDATED: 3 Peshmerga ‘slightly injured’ after explosion; governor says no attack

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Three Zeravani Peshmerga have suffered minor injuries after a weapons depot in Erbil caught fire causing a loud explosion that could be heard kilometers away. The incident was not an attack.
 
“Three Zeravani Peshmerga guarding the place were slightly injured and are now being treated in the hospital. No one was killed in the explosion. No civilians were injured,” said Erbil Governor Nawzad Hadi in a news conference.

The incident occurred at a weapons depot at the old headquarters of the Zeravani Peshmerga near 60 Meter and Nawroz Streets in the capital of the Kurdistan Region. The building caught fire and then exploded on Saturday evening. Hadi explained the depot was used to store food and some mortars. 

“There were some small fires there which had reached the mortar shells, which consequently caused the explosion that damaged the building,” added the governor.

Officials are investigating the incident as an accident.

“What happened was not man-made or planned, nor was it an attack,” explained Hadi. “The small fires inside and the heat caused the bombs to explode inside the building.”

The governor explained what led to the incident.

“Old bombs were stored here which the Zeravani should have protected better or removed them from here. Some of them were gas tanks seized in the war on ISIS. They had neutralized and stored them here,” he said.

“There are some old bombs and other things still remaining in the basement. And the fire fighters are extinguishing the fire now,” he added later in the evening.

Dr. Saman Barzinji, director of the Health Department in Erbil told Rudaw that the injuries of the Peshmerga are not life-threatening and they are receiving treatment.

“Their injuries are light. They are caused by shrapnel. One of them has been hit in the face, and another one in the shoulder. The injuries are not life-threatening. Their health is very good and stable,” added the health director.

Tariq Nuri, head of the Asayesh (security) in Erbil initially had told Rudaw there were no casualties and the fire was sparked by electrical shortage.

Zeravani are an auxiliary force under the command and training of the Peshmerga General Command.

 

The Command of the Zeravani Peshmerga later confirmed the information in a statement.

“We reassure the beloved residents of the city of Erbil that the incident was natural and not a terrorist activity,” it added. “The situation is now under control."