Fuel station error in Erbil sends gasoline to homes instead of kerosene

ERBIL — A technical error at a fuel station in Erbil led to gasoline being distributed instead of kerosene, locally known as “white oil,” on the same day the government resumed household fuel distribution in the city center, prompting safety warnings from local authorities.

Salar Mohammed, head of the committee overseeing natural resources, told 964media that at least 12 residents received gasoline by mistake and transported it to their homes.

“They have been contacted and asked to return it immediately and not use it,” Mohammed said.

He warned residents who collected fuel that day to carefully inspect it before using it in home heaters. Any fuel that smells like gasoline or raises suspicion should not be used, he said, stressing that gasoline in kerosene heaters could cause explosions and lead to “a major disaster.”

Kerosene is distributed by the government at a subsidized price and remains the primary heating fuel for most households in the Kurdistan Region, where many families rely on kerosene stoves during winter.

Earlier this month, the Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Natural Resources released updated figures showing that more than 674,000 families across the region’s governorates and autonomous administrations have received their kerosene allocations so far.

According to the ministry, nearly 135 million liters had been distributed across the Kurdistan Region as of Jan. 4, 2026. In Erbil governorate, 176,220 families have received fuel, compared with 87,547 families in the Soran administration, 275,325 in Sulaymaniyah governorate, 30,125 in Halabja governorate, 92,981 in Duhok governorate and 12,303 in Zakho.

The ministry said 674,501 families have received kerosene to date, while 415,222 households are still awaiting their allocations.