Iran Sympathizes with Iraq over Deadly Floods

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has expressed regret over the recent floods in various Iraqi cities, which left dozens of people killed and missing, and caused extensive damages.

Heavy rainfall across the Middle East has caused deaths, displacement and disruption in recent days / Photo by Khalid al-Mousily, Reuters

In a Monday statement, Qassemi also offered sympathy to the Iraqi nation and government and the families affected by the catastrophe.

At least 21 people have died and tens of thousands displaced by torrential rains that have battered Iraq over two days, according to health officials and the United Nations.

Seif al-Badr, spokesperson for Iraq’s health ministry, told the AFP news agency on Sunday that women and children were among the dead.

Some had drowned due to floods, but others had died in car accidents, were electrocuted or were trapped when their houses collapsed.

At least 180 more were injured, he added.

Iraq’s north has borne the brunt of the heavier-than-average rainfall, and the United Nations’ Iraq office said the downpour had forced tens of thousands of people out of their homes.

An estimated 10,000 people in the province and 15,000 people in Nineveh are in desperate need of help, including families living in camps for internally displaced persons, the UN said on Saturday.

“Losses are still being assessed, but initial accounts from flooded areas include the destruction of homes, livestock and household items,” it said in a statement.

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