ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq’s health ministry announced on Friday that scores of people were injured and one died during New Year celebrations across the country, including a major fire in Kirkuk.

One person was killed and seven others were injured by gunfire, the ministry said in a statement. Another 25 people were injured by fireworks.

“The seriousness of the injuries is between medium and dangerous,” the ministry stated.

In addition, 30 people were injured in a fire at a commercial center in Kirkuk province “during the New Year celebrations,” according to the statement.

KirkukNow, a local news agency, reported a fire broke out in a restaurant. Firefighters rescued 100 people by evacuating them from the restaurant, which was on the ninth floor of the building.

The health ministry had warned against the danger of fireworks earlier in the day.

The Iraqi and Kurdistan Regional governments banned New Year celebrations because of the coronavirus, but this did not stop people from gathering in public areas.

Rudaw