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A massive explosion occurred inside one of the oil storage facilities in the Burjisiya oil field area, in the Al-Zubair district, west of Basra

The Burjisiya oil field area in the Al-Zubair district, west of Basra in Iraq, witnessed a massive explosion followed by a huge fire inside one of the oil storage facilities. Preliminary information indicated that the explosion was caused by a turbine inside the facility, which led to the outbreak of fire in the warehouse. The incident resulted in the death of the head of the “Zubair 1” unit due to burns and suffocation, while six others were injured and transported to hospitals. Three additional individuals remain missing. Firefighting teams rushed to the scene and are working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby facilities.

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The Minister of Interior inaugurates the first helicopter used in rescue and firefighting operations

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior has introduced its first helicopters dedicated to rescue and firefighting operations, marking a historic milestone for both civil defense and the ministry itself. With this, the ministry now owns two helicopters as part of its fleet. These helicopters have already begun flying over the skies of Baghdad, proudly signaling the commencement of their operational duties in addressing fire incidents and related rescue operations. Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari confirmed that these two helicopters are among the most advanced in the world. They are capable of flying in various weather conditions, can carry search-and-rescue teams, and are equipped for firefighting missions. Furthermore, they can remain airborne for extended periods before requiring refueling. His Excellency emphasized that this significant step was supported by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and praised the continuous efforts of the Interior Ministry's departments, which worked tirelessly around the clock to receive the KUH-1 rescue and firefighting helicopters, specially designated for civil defense tasks. He also highlighted the high efficiency of these helicopters in search-and-rescue operations and firefighting. The Minister added that the ministry will receive additional helicopters to operate in the provinces of Basra and Nineveh. He also mentioned that the ministry currently has qualified pilots and technicians who have completed their training, along with eight pilots and seventeen technicians who are undergoing training on this type of helicopter in the Republic of South Korea.

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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani inspects the final stages of work on the Safwan General Hospital project in Basra Governorate

The Prime Minister followed up on the progress of work at the hospital, which has reached its final stages after years of delay. The project was expanded following his visit in September 2023, during which he directed the addition of a water desalination plant, an MRI building, a dental care facility, and a helipad. Al-Sudani toured the hospital’s corridors, inspecting its halls and the completion of the work. He emphasized the importance of precision in equipping the facility with medical devices and equipment that meet the required standards, so that the hospital can provide the best possible services to the residents of Safwan District and the surrounding areas, sparing them the hardship of traveling to distant hospitals. He stressed that the government has given special attention to strengthening the healthcare sector’s infrastructure since it began its work. He added that hospital projects in Basra Governorate will soon be operational, including the 455-bed specialized university hospital, which has reached its final stages, as well as Al-Hartha Hospital, the emergency hospital in Shatt al-Arab District, and several medium-capacity hospitals in Abu Al-Khasib and Al-Zubair.

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Chairman of the Media and Communications Commission, Nofal Abu Ragheef: We will not allow paid pages to obstruct institutional organization

In response to the fabricated recordings, the Chairman of the Media and Communications Commission, Dr. Nofal Abu Ragheef, announced that paid pages will not be allowed to obstruct institutional organization. Abu Ragheef emphasized in a tweet followed by our website the importance of protecting digital broadcasting from those he described as mercenaries and brokers, stressing that the judiciary is the only arbiter.