Iraq: Four dead after the collapse of a Shiite shrine near the city of Karbala

Rescuers have recovered the bodies of four pilgrims from the rubble of a Shiite shrine in Iraq, part of which collapsed in central Iraq, local authorities said.

“We found four bodies, including that of a woman” at the shrine located in Karbala province, General Abdelrahman Zaudat, director of the Civil Protection agency’s press office, told AFP. Investigations into the wreckage are ongoing.

Rescuers were earlier reported to be trying to pull out six to eight pilgrims trapped in the rubble of the Imam Ali Shrine. Three children were pulled out alive and are being treated in hospital but are in good condition, according to local health authorities.

A spokesman for Iraq’s Civil Protection agency, Nawas Sabah Shaker, explained that a rock had dislodged on Saturday afternoon “due to the humidity” and fell on the building. About 30% of the sanctuary, which does not exceed 100 square meters in size, collapsed.

Rescuers were able to administer oxygen, food and water to the people trapped inside. They also said, according to the Iraqi news agency INA, that they are talking to the victims “to reassure them”.

“We are working very carefully to reach the stranded. Any mistake could trigger another collapse,” Zaudat said.

An eyewitness, Bassem Khazali, said his nephew was trapped in the rubble when the roof collapsed. “I’m afraid that every effort is in vain… We want to know what happened, why this happened,” he added.

Imam Ali’s shrine is about 25 kilometers west of the Shiite holy city of Kerbala and attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. It is dedicated to the son-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad, the founder of Shiite Islam.

According to tradition, Imam Ali halted there with his army while en route to the Battle of Siffin in 657 and a spring gushed forth at the site.