Kurdistan extends condolences to Russia over deadly mall fire

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) sent condolences to Russia over Sunday's fire that swept through a shopping mall, killing dozens of people.

“We extend our condolences to the families of victims of the fire incident of the shopping mall in Kemerovo in which more than 60 people died and tens more injured,” the KRG statement read.

“We express our sympathies to them and the people and government of Russia. We wish a speedy recovery to those wounded.”

The fire, one of the deadliest in Russia since the break-up of the Soviet Union, swept through the upper floors of the “Winter Cherry” shopping center in the city of Kemerovo, where bowling alleys, a cinema complex, and children’s play area were located.

Dozens of children were feared to be among the dead, with some claiming the government is actively covering up the death of hundreds.

Videos and photographs posted on social media showed people jumping from windows to escape the fire and smoke.

“Serious violations (of the law) took place when the mall was being built and when it was functioning. The fire exits were blocked,” Svetlana Petrenko, a spokeswoman for Russia's Investigative Committee, said in a statement.

Authorities detained four people, including two employees of the firm that provides emergency fire services to the mall.

A statement released by the firm stated that firemen had extinguished the fire at one point, but that it later reignited in some other places. It added that rescuers were struggling to recover victims’ bodies due to the collapse of the building’s top floor.

According to officials, many of the victims will only be able to be identified via DNA testing.

Editing by John J. Catherine