JORDAN: Seven members of Syrian family killed in fire at refugee camp

Record ID: 276477

  • Title: JORDAN: Seven members of Syrian family killed in fire at refugee camp
  • Date: 17th January 2013
  • Summary: YOUNG BOY MAKING THE V SIGN WIDE OF CAMP
  • Embargoed: 1st February 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Jordan
  • Country: Jordan
  • Topics: Conflict,Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Social Services / Welfare
  • Reuters ID: LVA1SVWXTUAWNC49GYB56QI633X9
  • Story Text: Seven members of a family of Syrian refugees are killed after a fire brakes out at a refugee camp in northern Jordan, with a relative the victims blaming the tragedy on the poor living conditions of the camp.


    Seven members of a family of Syrian refugees were killed when fire broke out in their prefabricated hut in a refugee camp in northern Jordan on Wednesday (January 16), officials said.
    The fire was started by a gas heater, officials said. The hut was located in a public park being used for refugees in the border town of Ramtha, near the border with Syria.
    A civil defence source said that, in addition to the dead, at least three people were injured.
    Abu Mohammed, a relative of the victims, blamed the deaths of his relatives on the poor living conditions of the camp.
    "What happened today has never happened anywhere in the world, it's true this is God's will, but there is a reason, the reason is an electrical short. We have been suffering for 4 months from the officials in the camp," he said.
    He said that there were several injuries in addition to the deaths: "Those who have passed away are 7 members of one family, and three people were injured." he added.
    More than 200,000 Syrian refugees are now living in towns and cities across Jordan. The largest refugee camp, at Zaatari, houses at least 50,000.
    An unusually bitter winter, accompanied by driving snow and rain last week, some of the worst in the region in years, has raised concern for the plight of both Syrian refugees and displaced people within Syria.
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