Karbala civil defense says prior inspections flagged bus station fire safety failures

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Karbala Civil Defense Directorate said its crews reached a central bus station fire in the city within four minutes of being alerted, despite heavy traffic, and began extinguishing and rescue operations. In a written statement, the directorate said previous field inspections had found the station's fire extinguishing systems inoperative and the facility failing to meet safety requirements. According to the statement, records and legal warnings were issued to the station's owner, the Ministry of Transport, under Law No. 2013 of 2013 on Civil Defense. The directorate said it lacks the authority to close or sanction facilities affiliated with ministries, and that its role is limited to inspection, reporting and follow-up. The fire broke out Thursday evening at a central bus station in Karbala, involving a large bus, the statement said. No further details on casualties or the cause were immediately available.