The Iraqi Interior Ministry categorically denied the validity of what has been circulated in some media outlets and social media platforms regarding the involvement of more than 30 Syrian citizens in the tragic fire incident that recently broke out in a commercial center in Wasit Governorate - Kut City, resulting in dozens of casualties.
Brigadier Muqdad Miri, Head of the Relations and Media Department at the Interior Ministry, affirmed that these reports are completely false, not based on any official investigation or reliable sources, urging not to be swayed by rumors that cause concern and confusion in public opinion.
Miri explained that the actual number of Syrians present at the scene of the incident is only six, all of whom work at "Kut Hypermarket", entered Iraq legally and are officially registered with the relevant authorities.
He added that their current status is under scrutiny, and they are available to the investigative committee specially formed by the ministry to look into the incident.
The Interior Ministry called on all media outlets and bloggers to exercise caution and accuracy in disseminating news, and not to circulate unverified information, emphasizing that any official information regarding the investigation results will only be announced through approved government channels.
Earlier, the Iraqi Interior Ministry announced that the fire, which broke out in a commercial center in Kut City at night, resulted in the death of 61 people, most of whom died of suffocation inside the bathrooms due to dense smoke, including 14 charred bodies of unidentified individuals.
This official denial comes amid a state of intense anger and sorrow that pervades the Iraqi streets after the tragic incident, while King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences to the Iraqi President and the families of the victims, expressing deep sorrow and solidarity with the Iraqi people in this great tragedy.