Baghdad: At least four people died as a result of a fire in the city of Karbala in central Iraq during preparations for Ashura processions, the Iraqi civil defense authorities informed.

The fire occurred at a market in Karbala on Friday. The civil defense authorities said on social media that four bodies were found after the blaze.

The cause of the fire, which occurred during the Day of Ashura preparations, is under investigation.

According to preliminary data, a gas cylinder explosion was reported.

Ashura is a Muslim holy day observed on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar.

(With UNI inputs)