South Korea's Consul General Expresses Sympathy With Erbil Flood Victims
South Korean Consul General Eoon-Gyo Shim extends condolences after Erbil floods kill two people, as authorities begin assessing damage to homes and vehicles.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - South Korea's Consul General in Erbil, Eoon-Gyo Shim, has expressed condolences to the families of two people killed in flooding in the Kurdistan Region's capital, as local authorities begin documenting damage caused by heavy rainfall and hail.
In a message posted on Facebook, Shim said he was deeply saddened by the flash floods that struck Erbil on Saturday evening, Nov. 7, 2026, and extended his sympathy to those who lost relatives or suffered during the storm.
"I am deeply saddened by the news of the flash floods hitting the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, especially the city of Erbil," he wrote.
"My thoughts and deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims, and I wish a swift recovery to all those affected," the South Korean diplomat added.
Shim also voiced hope that the affected communities would recover quickly from the disaster.
"I sincerely hope for a safe and speedy recovery for the region," he said.
The message comes as Erbil continues to assess the consequences of flooding that inundated homes and submerged vehicles across several neighborhoods. His expression of sympathy is a diplomatic response to the human losses and disruption experienced by residents.
Two Lives Lost in Saturday's Flooding
Heavy rain and hail struck Erbil on Saturday evening, causing water to accumulate rapidly in a number of residential areas and leading to flooding.
Two people died during the incident. One was a five-year-old child. The other was a young bulldozer driver who had gone to assist people affected by the floodwaters but lost his life while helping.
The deaths have placed the human cost of the storm at the center of the city's response, even as residents and officials turn their attention to damaged property.
Floodwater entered numerous homes, while several vehicles were submerged. The full scale of the material losses has not yet been established, and authorities have not announced a final assessment of the affected properties.
Committee Begins Assessing Damage
A special committee chaired by Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw has been established to register damage caused by the flooding. The relevant committees began their work on Monday, Nov. 9, as officials sought to document the impact on residents.
The assessment is expected to provide a clearer account of material losses, but no definitive damage figure was available in the information released so far.
Shim's message adds an international diplomatic expression of sympathy to the aftermath of the floods. Through his public statement, he acknowledged both the families grieving the two deaths and the wider community dealing with the consequences of the storm.
While the assessment process continues, his remarks focused on the immediate human impact and his wish for the city and the wider Kurdistan Region to recover safely and swiftly.