Three Pakistani Firemen Killed in Doha Accident Ahead of World Cup

Three Pakistani firemen died in a training accident in Qatar weeks before the start of the World Cup, officials announced on Thursday.

Authorities revealed that the three people were taking part in a multi-national World Cup security exercise, which will be held around Doha.

Officials did not disclose details of the accident but friends of the three victims noted on social media that they were on a crane that collapsed in Doha's Hamad port.

Fifteen foreign governments including the US, Britain, France, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the Palestinian territories sent security forces and experts for the Watan exercise that ends Thursday.

Exercises included fighter jet drills, a chemical attack on a stadium, and handling demonstrations.

In the same vein, Qatar's Safety and Security Operations Committee pointed out that the exercises had shown "the capabilities, readiness, and determination of the military forces and civil authorities to deal with all scenarios."

General Michael Kurilla, head of the US Central Command that manages US forces across the Middle East, was in Qatar for the start of the exercises.

"Kurilla expressed confidence in Qatar's ability to ensure a safe and secure World Cup next month," said a Central Command statement.