Putin Sends Condolences to Iraq Over Deadly Shopping Mall Fire
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed condolences to Iraqi leaders following a devastating fire at a shopping mall in Al-Kut, eastern Iraq, according to the Russian Embassy in Baghdad.
In a telegram to Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, Putin conveyed his sympathies over Wednesday evening's tragedy. The blaze at the five-story mall — which had opened just one week earlier — claimed 63 lives and injured 40 others, Iraq's health ministry reported.
Firefighters rescued 45 people from the burning building. Prime Minister al-Sudani declared three days of national mourning and visited the site Thursday, while Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari ordered a special commission to investigate the cause.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS