Iraqi Interior Ministry: No Syrians Involved in the Kut Fire

SadaNews - The Iraqi Ministry of Interior denied reports circulating in some media and social media about the involvement of more than 30 Syrians in the recent fire incident in Kut, Wasit Governorate.

Brigadier General Muqdad Miri, head of the Relations and Media Department at the Ministry of Interior, confirmed that this information is not based on any official investigation or reliable source, emphasizing that it is completely untrue.

Miri explained that the number of Syrians actually present at the incident site is only 6 people, who work at the Kut hypermarket, and they entered Iraq legally and legitimately.

He pointed out that the Syrians are registered with the official authorities and their data is verified, noting that their situations will be thoroughly checked, and they are currently available to the investigative committee formed by the ministry.

Additionally, the Ministry of Interior called on all media outlets and bloggers to exercise accuracy and caution in disseminating information and to avoid being drawn into rumors that could confuse public opinion.

It stressed that any official details regarding the investigation will only be announced through the accredited channels.

It is worth mentioning that the death toll from a fire that broke out at night in a commercial center in the city of Kut, eastern Iraq, has risen to 61 people, according to the Ministry of Interior, last Thursday.

Interior Minister Abd al-Amir al-Shammari stated in a statement that the fire claimed the lives of 61 citizens, most of whom died from smoke inhalation inside the restrooms due to the thick smoke, including 14 unidentified charred bodies.