MEA Expresses Grief Over Al-Kut Fire Tragedy, Says ‘India Stands In Solidarity With Iraq’ | India News

On Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) expressed deep sorrow on the destructive fire that demanded at least 61 lives in the Eastern city of Iraq, al-Pas, and left the others wounded or loss.

In an article on the social media platform X, Mea spokesman Randhir Jaiswal transferred India’s condolences to the Iraqi people and government.

“We express our deep grief for those who continued to injure the tragic loss of innocent lives and injured in the destructive fire incident in the city of Iraq on July 16, 2025.

We express our deep grief for the tragic loss of innocent lives and the wounded on 16 July 2025 in the destructive fire incident in the city of Iraq.

We wish the government and the people of Iraq sincerely and pray for families… – Randhir Jaiswal (@meaindia) 18 July 2025

According to Iraq’s Ministry of Interior, the fire started in a five -storey commercial building in Kut City in Wasit, late on Wednesday night. Al Jazeera reported that the building, which was opened just a week ago, contained a hypermarket, a restaurant and several other retail stores.

According to a statement published by the Ministry of Interior on Thursday, civil defense teams saved 14 charred corpse and saved at least 45 people.

Wasit State Governor Mohammed al-Mayahi confirmed that the fire started in both hypermarket and a nearby restaurant. Many families, flames spread rapidly complex, food and shopping, he said.

“A tragedy and a disaster fell to us,” al-Mayahi added that the firefighters had managed to save a few people before they took the fire. Shared videos on social media showed that he swallowed the long building to control the fire and reach those who were trapped inside.

Al Jazeera, who referred to the Iraqi News Agency (in), reported that the lawsuits were filed against the owner of the building and the shopping center. The governor ordered a complete investigation and promised that the findings would be announced to the public within 48 hours.

Following the incident, local authorities declared a three -day mourning in Wasit province.

The cause of the fire has not yet been officially verified.