Explosion at munitions depot near Baghdad caused by extreme heat, Iraq says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — An explosion at a munitions depot at Taji Base, north of Baghdad, was triggered by extreme summer heat and was not the result of a security attack, Iraq's Defense Ministry said. The blast occurred on Sunday when ammunition stored at the depot detonated, according to the ministry. Officials said high air temperatures caused the detonation, with no link to any hostile action. Security forces launched an investigation and increased precautionary checks at surrounding military areas. Taji Base lies roughly 30 kilometers north of the capital and is a known site for joint training activities with the United States. Similar heat-related incidents at munitions storage facilities have been recorded in previous periods.