Shafaq News – Basra (updated at 18:00)

The fire at an oil storage facility in Basra’s al-Burjesia area is fully contained, the Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced on Sunday.

Confirming that the blaze claimed one life — Radhi Abdul Sahib, an employee of the Basra Oil Company — and injured nine others, the ministry noted that maintenance and rehabilitation work at the site would commence following preparatory and damage assessment operations.

Earlier today, the Iraqi Oil Ministry reported the incident at the old pumping system of the Zubair-1 depot, when a gas leak sparked a fire in one of the lines.

Emergency teams from Basra Civil Defense and the Oil Ministry were promptly deployed to contain the flames.

Eyewitnesses relayed to Shafaq News that flames erupted inside the storage facility, sending thick black smoke into the sky that was visible from several kilometers away.

A source within Basra’s Civil Defense Directorate also confirmed the incident began when a turbine exploded inside the Burjesia-1 oil depot, igniting the large blaze.