Iran Sympathizes with Malaysia over Deadly Fire

In his Thursday statement, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi offered sympathy to the Malaysian nation and government and the bereaved families of the victims over the early morning blaze at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah School in Kuala Lumpur.

At least 23 students and two teacher were killed after the blaze broke out early on Thursday at a religious school in Kuala Lumpur – the deadliest fire in decades in Malaysia.

The fire at Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah – a “tahfiz” boarding school where students learn to memorise the Quran – was reported at 5:40am (21:40 GMT Wednesday), according to a statement from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department.

Seven people were taken to a nearby hospital for injuries, while 11 others were rescued.

Firefighters rushed to the scene and the blaze was out within an hour, but not before it wreaked terrible devastation – pictures in local media showed ash-covered, fire-blackened beds.

Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Amar Singh told reporters the boys who died were aged 13-17, and they probably suffocated due to smoke inhalation. The dormitory had only one entrance, leaving many of the victims trapped inside, he said.