Five killed, dozens injured in Duhok gas tank explosion

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least five people were killed and dozens of others were injured when a gas tank on top of a student dormitory exploded in Duhok late on Monday, marking the second gas-related tragedy in the Kurdistan Region within the past week.

The explosion of a gas tank on the rooftop of a three-story building in Duhok killed at least five and wounded 34 others, according to the Kurdistan Region’s health ministry, with most of the casualties being dormitory students who resided on the second and third floors of the building. The tank served as the gas system for a bakery on the first floor.

Immediately after the blast, the Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani ordered relevant authorities to “completely” cease the operation of such gas systems, in light of the recent deadly gas-related incidents, and called for a thorough investigation into the phenomenon.

An explosion in a packed house in Sulaimani’s Kaziwa neighborhood on Thursday resulted in the complete collapse of the property, killing 15 people and injuring 12 others. The blast was attributed to a buildup of gas inside the house after the LPG tank leaked.

President of the Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday extended his condolences to the families of the victims in Duhok’s blast, wishing for a speedy recovery for the wounded and expressing their willingness to help the injured in any way possible.

“The repetition of gas explosion incidents is a matter of serious concern and danger and relevant authorities must seriously reflect on this topic as soon as possible and do better jobs at surveilling gas systems and their method of use,” read a statement from President Barzani’s office.

Updated at 10:59 with new death toll