Chlorine gas leak in Iraq causes 621 suffocation cases

More than 600 pilgrims were briefly hospitalized with respiratory issues following a chlorine gas leak at a water treatment facility between the Shiite holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, authorities confirmed Sunday.

The incident occurred overnight along the road connecting these two central and southern Iraqi cities, a key route for millions of Shiite Muslims expected to gather in Karbala this year for the Arbaeen pilgrimage.

Iraq’s Health Ministry issued a statement reporting “621 cases of asphyxia have been recorded following a chlorine gas leak in Karbala,” adding that “all have received the necessary care and left hospital in good health.”

Security forces responsible for pilgrim safety identified the source of the leak as “a chlorine leak from a water station on the Karbala-Najaf road.”

Authorities are expected to investigate the chlorine leak as the country prepares for one of its largest religious gatherings.