SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Rescue teams recovered the latest bodies of the victims under the rubble of Thursday’s night gas explosion in Sulaimani, resulting in the structural collapse of a three-story house.
A horrific gas explosion in Sulaimani’s Kaziwa neighborhood left 15 people dead and 12 others injured who were members of one family, gathering in the house for a family dinner.
A massive search-and-rescue operation kicked off around 8:00 P.M. local time, a few minutes after rescue teams received reports of an explosion on Thursday.
The significant blast resulted in a structural collapse, Haval Abubakar, Sulaimani governor confirmed. Light smoke continued to rise from the structure around the evening hours.
In the meantime, the head of Sulaimani civil defense team said, it was due to an LPG gas cylinder explosion after it leaked.
After 18 hours the rescue teams concluded their operations, announcing that they discovered the latest bodies who were trapped under the rubble of the house.
The explosion impacted all nearby houses. Two other buildings were evacuated.
Residents told local news outlets they heard a massive blast, escaping their houses because they initially thought it might be an earthquake.
Kurdistan Region Health Ministry confirmed among the victims were male and female as well as all ages were included.
“There are 15 bodies at Sulaimani forensic medicine. 12 other injured received by the hospital among whom five of them are under intensive care unit,” a statement from Health Ministry said. Overall casualties were 27 members of one family.
