Flames of Qayyarah
When IS retreated from the Iraqi town of Qayyarah they set fire to the oil wells, sending plumes of toxic black and white smoke that blanket the sky. The impact has been catastrophic as oil field workers and fire fighters bring the blazes under control. Photos by Kate Geraghty.
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Two men provide security at Well 77 in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Oil falling from the sky covers a wheel at Well 77 in the Qayyarah oil fields.]()
Oil falling from the sky covers a wheel at Well 77 in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Oilfield workers and firemen surrounded by clouds of toxic smoke at the edge of a hole where they are attempting to seal ...]()
Oilfield workers and firemen surrounded by clouds of toxic smoke at the edge of a hole where they are attempting to seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday. ISIS lit 22 oil wells on fire as they retreated from Qayyarah in Northern Iraq. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Two men provide security at Well 77 in the Qayyarah oil fields.]()
Two men provide security at Well 77 in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![An oilfield worker takes a break, sitting at the edge of a hole where they are attempting to seal off the oil well 60 ...]()
An oilfield worker takes a break, sitting at the edge of a hole where they are attempting to seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Oil wells on fire in the Qayyarah oil fields.]()
Oil wells on fire in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Shepherd Mohammed Salim walks with his herd their sheep grazing under a smoke filled sky approximately 30km from Qayyarah.]()
Shepherd Mohammed Salim walks with his herd their sheep grazing under a smoke filled sky approximately 30km from Qayyarah. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Firemen and oilfield workers strategize their next move as they attempt to seal off the oil well 60 that was ...]()
Firemen and oilfield workers strategize their next move as they attempt to seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Huts covered with oil and soot falling from the sky from burning oil well fires in the Qayyarah oil fields.]()
Huts covered with oil and soot falling from the sky from burning oil well fires in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Firemen and oilfield workers seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday.]()
Firemen and oilfield workers seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Shepherd Amer Mhmed Mohammed follows his sheep grazing at the Qayyarah oil fields. Amer is afraid of the IED's that ISIS ...]()
Shepherd Amer Mhmed Mohammed follows his sheep grazing at the Qayyarah oil fields. Amer is afraid of the IED's that ISIS laid near the burning oil wells. He says his sheep whose wool has turned dark brown and get sick from the toxic smoke as does his family when the smoke blows in the direction of their home. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Firemen and oilfield workers seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday.]()
Firemen and oilfield workers seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![A graveyard of vehicles blown up by IED's and landmines laid by ISIS in the Qayyarah oil fields.]()
A graveyard of vehicles blown up by IED's and landmines laid by ISIS in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Firemen and oilfield workers seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday.]()
Firemen and oilfield workers seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished yesterday. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Droplets of oil fall onto the windscreen of a from burning oil wells in the Qayyarah oil fields.]()
Droplets of oil fall onto the windscreen of a from burning oil wells in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![An oilfield worker stands ontop of oil tanks as other oilfield workers and firemen seal off the oil well 60 that was ...]()
An oilfield worker stands ontop of oil tanks as other oilfield workers and firemen seal off the oil well 60 that was just extinguished. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Well 77 on fire in the Qayyarah oil fields.]()
Well 77 on fire in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Emergency services and oil workers standby as they seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished the day before.]()
Emergency services and oil workers standby as they seal off the oil well 60 that was extinguished the day before. Photo: Kate Geraghty -
![Toxic smoke fills the sky and oil and soot cover the land from burning oil well fires in the Qayyarah oil fields.]()
Toxic smoke fills the sky and oil and soot cover the land from burning oil well fires in the Qayyarah oil fields. Photo: Kate Geraghty
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