Basra Oil Field Fire Leaves One Dead, 9 Injured

A fire triggered by a gas leak at an oil facility in southern Iraq killed one person and injured at least nine others on Sunday, according to Iraqi authorities.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m. local time (06:15 GMT) in the Zubair 1 oil depot, located in Basra province, a key hub of Iraq’s oil production. The Ministry of Oil confirmed that the blaze broke out in an old gas pumping system at the site.

“The fire resulted from a leak in one of the gas systems in the old pumping unit,” the ministry said in an official statement. “Emergency teams responded immediately to contain the flames and prevent further damage.”

Basra’s Health Directorate reported one fatality and nine injuries, including a woman, with cases ranging from minor burns and smoke inhalation to more serious conditions.

By mid-afternoon, firefighting crews had successfully brought the blaze under control. The ministry later announced that the fire was “completely extinguished” by 3:10 p.m. local time (12:10 GMT).

Iraq, which relies on oil revenues for roughly 90% of its income, has long struggled with safety and infrastructure issues across critical sectors such as energy, construction, and transport. Outdated facilities, weak regulatory oversight, and decades of conflict have left the country vulnerable to industrial accidents and deadly fires.

In July, a devastating blaze at a shopping mall in the eastern city of Kut killed 61 people just days after the complex opened, underscoring the ongoing risks posed by lax safety standards.

The Ministry of Oil has launched an investigation into Sunday’s incident to determine the cause of the gas leak and assess potential negligence in maintenance or safety protocols.