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Rising Deaths Due to Oil Distillation Units in Deir ez-Zor
The village of "Abu Nital" in northern Deir ez-Zor, controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has recorded a tragic increase in the number of deaths due to inhalation of toxic gases from one of the primitive "oil distillation units," with the total reaching five people after two additional deaths were reported last Wednesday.
According to local sources, the story began when three individuals were injured after inhaling toxic gases, leading to their deaths, while two others were transferred to a hospital in the town of "Al-Sour," before being moved again to a private hospital in the city of "Al-Basirah," where they succumbed to their injuries.
Reports indicate that many workers in the "distillation units" suffer from respiratory health issues due to continuous exposure to gases produced through primitive oil refining methods, which are employed to obtain fuels sold in markets in areas controlled by the SDF in northeastern Syria.
Medical sources have reported that working or residing near the "distillation units" significantly contributes to an increase in cancer cases in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, highlighting the health risks faced by the residents.
"Oil distillation units" are randomly spread across several villages and towns in the Deir ez-Zor countryside, operating with permission from the SDF. These units rely on sourcing crude oil from fields controlled by the SDF, which they then process and refine into products such as diesel and gasoline, selling them to the "Autonomous Administration" or to merchants and smugglers.
These distillation units pose a threat to the lives of residents due to the harmful smoke and odors emitted from them, leading to significant damage to the respiratory system. Additionally, reports have confirmed that emissions from these units have resulted in a decline in agricultural production in the surrounding areas, exacerbating the environmental crisis in the region.
