“The foreign ministry expresses its sincere condolences and solidarity with the friendly Republic of Turkey regarding the tragic fire that broke out in a hotel in Bolu,” the ministry said in a statement, expressing solidarity with the government and people of Turkey.
Baghdad also affirmed that it “fully stands” with and supports Ankara “in these painful circumstances.”
At least 76 people died and tens were injured on Tuesday in a fire that engulfed a hotel in the Kartalkaya Ski Resort in Bolu, and an investigation is underway with six public prosecutors assigned to uncover the circumstances behind the blaze.
Nine people, including the hotel owner, have been arrested.
Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin blamed the fire on a restaurant near the hotel, which in turn caused the entire building to engulf in flames.
Over 50 people sustained injuries in the blaze, and response units were dispatched to the scene where they evacuated 230 people, according to Turkish state media.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that those responsible behind the disaster “will be held accountable in court.”
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in separate statements said they were “saddened” by the deadly blaze and offered their condolences to the victims’ families.
