On the morning of September 2, 2025 (11 Shahrivar 1404), large parts of the city of Sanandaj were covered in thick smoke, raising widespread concern among residents.
According to Hana’s investigations, the smoke resulted from the overturning and fire of fuel tankers on the Marivan–Sanandaj road. In this incident, the driver lost his life, and a wide area was exposed to pollution caused by the burning of petroleum products.
Although the traffic police have stated that the smoke was limited to the fire incident, citizens have expressed concern about the environmental and health consequences of the event. Pollution from fossil fuels, especially in urban spaces, can have serious effects on public health.
The Hana Human Rights Organization warns of the human and environmental consequences resulting from insufficient safety in road conditions and fuel transport in Kurdistan, and calls on responsible institutions to provide transparency regarding the extent of the pollution and to take immediate measures to reduce its effects on people’s health.