Soran declares three-day mourning over deadly fire breakout

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Soran Independent Administration on Saturday declared three-day mourning after a deadly inferno had killed at least 14 people at a residential building.

Halgurd Sheikh Najib, the head of the Soran Independent Administration, announced the mourning period, starting on Saturday, according to a statement, a copy of which has been reviewed by Kurdistan 24.

A fire broke out on Friday night at a residential building in Soran district in northern Erbil province, where at least 14 people have so far been killed while 13 others were wounded, including firefighters. 

The Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani “ordered the launch of a swift investigation into the incident and monitor the condition of the wounded,” Sheikh Najib added.

The investigation into the incident began on early Saturday, Kurdistan 24 has learned. The cause of the fire outbreak has not yet been identified. 

Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) President Masoud Barzani on Friday extended his condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Ammar Hakim, the leader of the Hikma (Wisdom) Party, similarly extended his condolences along with other party leaders.

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.

Additional reporting by Kurdistan 24 Soran reporter Tayfur Mohammed