Hundreds of shops burned in the "Qaisariya" market in the capital of the Kurdistan Region

ARK News… On Sunday night, a huge fire broke out in a popular market in Erbil city, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, causing hundreds of shops to burn.

Kurdistan media sources said that a huge fire broke out on Sunday night, 5/5/2024, in the large “Qaisariya” market next to the historic Erbil Citadel, causing the burning of about 277 commercial stores and 7 warehouses.

The fire on Sunday night led to the burning of 277 various commercial stores, and a committee was formed to uncover the damage and will announce the final results as soon as it completes its work.

Regarding the arrest of some people on suspicion of their involvement in the fire, Nabaz Abdul Hamid, the mayor of Erbil city Centre, said: “It is a security issue and the concerned agencies have begun their investigations and will announce them soon.”

The Ministry of Electricity in the Kurdistan Regional Government announced, on Monday, May 6, 2024, that according to preliminary investigations, there was no evidence indicating that the fire was caused by electricity, and the committee will continue to coordinate and cooperate with the investigation committees and relevant authorities in Erbil Governorate.

The "Qaisariya" market, with its many overlapping and intertwined branches, is one of the oldest and most prominent heritage, tourist and commercial landmarks in the center of the capital, Erbil, as it dates back to the Ottoman periods. It includes dozens of shops and many gates distributed between all sides of the market, and is considered an integral part of history, the heritage of the city of Erbil and its famous castle.

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