9-year-old dies after falling into fire in Khanaqin village

KHANAQIN — A 9-year-old boy died Saturday morning after falling into a fire set to burn reeds and dry brush near his family’s home in the village of Gubia, located in the Qolai area of Khanaqin, local officials said.

Dr. Shwan Shakir, director of Khanaqin General Hospital, told 964media the child, identified by the initials H.Y.Q., was brought in with burns covering his entire body. “The burns were classified as first-degree and the child had died from the injuries,” he said. “After completing medical procedures, the body was transferred to forensic medicine in Baqubah.”

Eyewitnesses said the boy had wandered into the area unnoticed and fell into the flames. By the time the fire was extinguished, he had sustained fatal injuries.

Khanaqin police said an investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances of the incident.