2022 Sulaymaniyah gas tank explosion

2022 Sulaymaniyah gas tank explosionDate| 17 November 2022

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Location| Sulaymaniyah, Iraq
Type| explosion
Deaths| 15
Non-fatal injuries| 12

On November 17, 2022, at 7:45 p.m. local time, an explosion in the city of Sulaymaniyah in the east of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, destroyed three homes. Authorities attributed the explosion to a buildup of gas inside the house after the LPG liquid gas tank leaked which caused a fire in a residential area, killing and injuring dozens and destroying three houses and several vehicles. The local authorities said the explosion happened in a packed house in the Kaziwa neighborhood. They also said it resulted in the complete collapse of the property which trapped dozens under the rubble. Final death tolls were announced to be 15 deaths and a further 12 injuries. Six of the 12 injured victims were quickly admitted to Sulaymaniyah's Shar Hospital, with four undergoing emergency surgery and another placed in the intensive care unit.[1][2][3][4]

## Reactions

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The governor of Sulaymaniyah, Haval Abubakir, declared a state of mourning in the province for a period of one day for the souls of the victims of the explosion.[5] Kurdistan Region president Nechirvan Barzani expressed his condolences in a tweet to the families of the dead and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Reber Ahmed arrived at the scene to offer assistance to the victims and extend a hand of support, as well as express condolences on Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s behalf. United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) described the incident as “horrific” while commending the rescuers “for their relentless efforts.”[4][6][7] Nasser Kanaani, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, extended a condolence message to the Iraqi government and people over the incident. He also sympathized with the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.[8] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan said it stands in "solidarity" with the government and people of Iraq, expressing its condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.[9]

## References

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1. ^ "تەقینەوەیەک لە سلێمانی روویدا". rudaw.net. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
2. ^ "Death toll from gas tank explosion in Iraq rises to 15". apnews.com. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
3. ^ "Gas cylinder explosion in Iraq's Sulaimaniyah kills 15 people". aljazeera.com. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
4. ^ a b "Fifteen dead in Sulaimani gas explosion blamed on unlicensed technician". rudaw.net. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
5. ^ "Sulaymaniyah declares one day mourning over the victims of the gas tank explosion". ins.iq. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
6. ^ IKRPresident (November 17, 2022) "بیر و دڵم لای خێزان و که‌سوکاری قوربانیانی ڕووداوی ته‌قینه‌وه‌که‌ی ئیمشه‌وی سلێمانییه‌. سه‌ره‌خۆشییان لێده‌که‌م، هاوخه‌میانم. خوای مه‌زن گیانی قوربانیان به‌ به‌زه‌یی و میهره‌بانیی خۆی شاد بکات، ئارامی و دڵنه‌وایی به‌ هه‌مووان ببه‌خشێت. هیوای زووچاکبوونه‌وه‌ بۆ برینداران ده‌خوازم." Twitter.com
7. ^ @USAmbIraq (November 18, 2022) "Our sincere condolences for the tragic loss of life from the gas tank explosion in Sulaymaniya. Our sympathies go out to the families of the victims. We wish a full recovery to the injured and send our sincere appreciation to the rescue workers." Twitter.com
8. ^ "Iran Offers Condolences to Iraq over Sulaymaniyah Gas Explosion Deaths". tasnimnews.com. 19 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
9. ^ "Jordan condoles on victims of Iraq gas pipeline explosion". jordannews.jo. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.