KRG Council of Ministers to discuss investigations into deadly Soran fire

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Council of Ministers is set to discuss the investigations into the causes that led to the deadly Soran fire early this week that killed at least 14 people, according to a statement.

The weekly session will be chaired by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani in Erbil, a KRG statement read.

The ministers will “assess the civil rescue measures” and investigations into the deadly Soran fire that had left at least 14 people dead, including university students and professors, per the statement.

The cause of the fire has not been ruled out yet, as investigations into the incident are ongoing. At least five people have been arrested by the security forces so far as part of the investigations.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani “promptly” launched an investigation into the matter, local officials have told Kurdistan 24.

Residents, politicians, and diplomatic missions based in the Kurdistan Region have reacted to the deadly incident, offering their condolences and support. The district announced a three-day mourning period.

Building codes in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq have frequently come under scrutiny for their poor fire hazard reputation.

Most recently, a wedding hall in Hamdaniya was engulfed in flames on Sept. 26 after a firework mishap, resulting in more than 100 deaths and leaving 150 injured.