In Iraq, hundreds of pilgrims were poisoned by chlorine

In Iraq, 621 pilgrims suffered from suffocation due to a chlorine leak, as reported by Al Jazeera TV channel.

According to the information, the incident occurred in Karbala. According to the Iraqi Ministry of Health, all victims received medical assistance and left hospitals in good condition. The cause of the incident was a chlorine leak from a water station on the Karbala-Najaf highway.

It is noted that Iraqi infrastructure is in a deplorable state due to decades of wars and corruption, while safety standards to assess their reliability are not in effect in the country.

It is expected that in 2025, Karbala will be visited by several million Shia Muslims from around the world. It is believed that the remains of Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein and his brother Abbas are located in the city. On the night of August 14-15, Shiites observe mourning in memory of Hussein and his 72 companions who fell in an unequal battle with the troops of the Umayyad Caliph Yazid. These memorial events are called Arbaeen.