Number of citizens died in a tanker explosion, Baghdad

INA - BAGHDAD 

Security Media Cell - SMC announced on Saturday, the death of a number of citizens in a tanker explosion east of Baghdad.

"The explosion occurred inside a garage by a tanker in the area between Talbiyah and Hay Al-Qahira, east of Baghdad, which led to the death of  number of people," said SMC in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

Baghdad Operations Commander, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Salim, revealed larer on the details of the explosion.

Salim told INA that "an explosion occurred near the western side of the Army Canal, within a garage for carrying vehicles nearby a five-football stadium. Near to the stadium, there was a coffee shop along with a crowd of citizens around the stadium where the explosion effect reached."

"The explosion led to the death of 9 citizens and 13 wounded as a final outcome that was obtained from the Ministry of Health," he noted, adding that "Criminal Evidence is working at the scene to figure out the cause of the explosion."

He explained, "The information shows that there is a technical defect in the tank and there is no terrorist act."