13 Pakistanis killed in Shouneh house fire — CDD

AMMAN — Thirteen Pakistani nationals died on Monday after sustaining severe burns and three others suffered from panic attacks after a fire broke out in their house on a farm in the Karameh area in Southern Shouneh, according to the Civil Defence Department (CDD).  

The CDD said that eight children, four women and one man were among the victims, while the injured include one man and two children.

Balqa CDD firefighters extinguished the fire in the house, inhabited by two Pakistani families, while paramedics administered first aid to the injured, who were transferred to the Southern Shouneh Hospital along with the bodies.

The CDD media centre said that the injured were declared in fair condition, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The department said that a committee had been formed to investigate the cause of the fire, adding that it later identified the cause as a short circuit.

Prime Minister Omar Razzaz called on the interior and health ministers to follow up on the incident, highlighting the importance of coordination between the CDD and other stakeholders and providing necessary treatment to the injured.

Razzaz also called for increasing awareness campaigns during the winter to warn citizens and residents of such dangers.

The prime minister expressed his condolences to the Pakistani government and people over the loss of life, wishing those who were injured a speedy recovery, Petra added.  

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday also expressed his condolences to his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mehmood Qureshi.

In a tweet, Safadi said he called Qureshi to offer condolences, assuring him that the government has taken all necessary measures to address the incident and provide support to the victims' families.