ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Two municipal workers tragically passed away in Baghdad on Sunday after inhaling toxic methane gas while cleaning a sewer without protective equipment, Iraq’s Civil Defense reported. The incident took place in Baghdad’s Rusafa district. “The two workers, aged 30 and 35, inhaled poisonous methane gas while cleaning the sewer, which led to their death,” Civil Defense Spokesperson Nawas Sabah told Rudaw. He confirmed that the workers lacked protective equipment and breathing apparatuses at the time of the incident. Sabah further pointed out that a civil defense officer was also injured after falling into the sewer while trying to recover the bodies. Methane, a gas produced by the decomposition of waste and organic matter, can be fatal without proper ventilation or breathing protection. Under Iraq’s Labor Code of 1987 (Act No. 71), employers are legally obligated to provide safe working conditions and adequate safety measures to protect employees. Workplace safety remains a critical issue in Iraq, where poor enforcement of labor regulations often leaves workers without protective gear or adequate training. Industrial accidents and extreme weather conditions continue to endanger thousands of workers annually, particularly in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and oil.
