SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — A devastating fire broke out at the Parvizkhan border crossing’s truck stop in Sulaimani’s Garmiyan administration, near the Iranian border, on Monday evening, leading to significant casualties and destruction.
The blaze, which started around 6:30 p.m. local time, claimed the life of one tanker driver and left 17 others injured. The fire also destroyed 15 oil tankers, according to a statement from the Garmiyan administration.
Garmiyan civil defense teams, with assistance from Iranian counterparts, battled the flames for two hours before finally bringing the fire under control around 8:30 p.m.
“The fire tragically resulted in the death of one tanker driver and injured 17 others. Additionally, 15 tanker trucks were destroyed in the incident,” read a statement from the administration.
Jalal Sheikh Nuri, supervisor of the Garmiyan administration, told Zoom News that a committee would be formed to investigate the cause of the fire and implement measures to prevent future incidents.
Footage captures a harrowing scene at the Parvizkhan border crossing in Sulaimani’s Garmiyan administration, where a massive explosion rocked the area, killing at least two people and engulfing multiple oil tankers in flames near the Iranian border. pic.twitter.com/r6geQKQT7A
— Zoom News (@zoomnewskrd) August 26, 2024
The incident coincided with an audit visit by the Iraqi Federal Supreme Audit Committee to the Bashmakh border crossing, another key trade route with Iran. While Parvizkhan’s tanker stop was active during the fire, Bashmakh’s truck stop, typically bustling with activity, appeared deserted during the audit, which focused on expenditures, revenues, and illicit oil smuggling.
Fire incidents have been common this year. The Kurdistan Region’s Civil Defense General Directorate reported that over 1,200 fire incidents had occurred across the region by May 21 this year, resulting in 62 deaths.
