Iran Expresses Regret over Iraq Ferry Sinking

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has expressed deep regret over the deadly sinking of a ferry in Iraq's Tigris River, in which tens of people, mostly women and children, drowned.

In a Thursday statement, Qassemi sympathized with the Iraqi nation and government, and offered condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic incident.

Scores of people died after a ferry carrying families celebrating the Nowruz holiday capsized in the Tigris River near the Iraqi city of Mosul, according to officials.

In a visit to the site of the accident on Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi ordered an inquiry and said those responsible would be held accountable.

Major General Saad Maan, a spokesman for the interior ministry, said at least 71 people were killed in Thursday’s accident.

The Associated Press cited a Iraqi health official as putting the number of fatalities at 83.

Another 55 people, including 19 children, were rescued.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.