Minister of Emergencies: Sponge Factory Fire in Hosh Blas, a warning to repair the safety system.

In an incident shedding light on the fragility of occupational safety standards in Syria, the Ministry of Emergencies and Disasters announced that firefighting teams from the Civil Defense and other fire brigades succeeded, after continuous efforts lasting about 20 hours, in controlling a massive fire that broke out inside a sponge and medical supplies factory in the area of Hosh Blas in the countryside of Damascus. Minister of Emergencies and Disasters, "Raed Al-Saleh," emphasized in a tweet posted on the "X" platform that the fire highlighted the urgent need to reassess the reality of occupational safety in the country, stressing the necessity of raising safety standards in industrial facilities and vital installations. Al-Saleh pointed out that the ministry is currently working in full cooperation with relevant authorities and ministries to develop and implement strict and effective preventive measures aimed at protecting lives and properties, and enhancing a safe working environment, especially in the current phase of reconstruction. This industrial disaster has sounded an alarm that requires immediate action, according to observers, to address the gaps in protection systems within factories and plants, to ensure the prevention of such disasters in the future.