The Iraqi Ministry of Health announced that 621 people suffered from asphyxiation after inhaling chlorine gas which leaked from a nearby water purification plant.
The incident occurred while the victims were traveling to the holy city of Karbala to take part in the Arbaeen pilgrimage for Imam Hussein, reports Al-Rai daily.
The Ministry confirmed that all affected individuals received prompt medical treatment and have since been discharged from the hospital in good health.
The Iraqi security forces stated that the leak happened in one of the water circuits on the road between Karbala and Najaf, describing the suffocation cases as limited in number.
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