Iraq launched an investigation Thursday after the second fire in three days at Baghdad airport, prompting the prime minister to fire three airport officials.
There were no casualties in the latest fire, which damaged several airline offices in the two-story Nineveh terminal.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani traveled to the airport for a briefing on the investigation launched after the fire, his office said.
According to a press release issued by his office, he relieved the Director General of Civil Aviation Authority, the Director of Baghdad International Airport and the Director of Airport Security from their duties.
The prime minister also called for an inquiry into the procurement process for the automatic fire suppression system, which – the statement said – had not been operational since 2013.
He further demanded that the persons responsible for the incident should be identified.
The major decisions and directives issued by Prime Minister Mr. Mohammed S. Al-Sudani during his visit to Baghdad International Airport following the two fire incidents at the airport. pic.twitter.com/rgxpCNQL2J
— Government of Iraq – الØكومة العراقية (@IraqiGovt) November 17, 2022
The latest fire on Tuesday came after three people were slightly injured when a fire broke out in the refreshment area of ​​the departures lounge of one of the terminals.
Sudani stressed the need for a full investigation “to find out the real reasons for the recurrence of the fire”.
He also ordered a review of the airport’s security system, emergency precautions and security procedures.
Conflict, neglect and endemic corruption have devastated Iraq’s infrastructure. Safety standards are often violated in both the transport and construction sectors, and accidents are common.
Baghdad Airport has not undergone any major renovations since it opened in the 1980s under the late dictator Saddam Hussein.
