Baghdad: Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani asserted that the recent fire incident in Kut is emblematic of corruption and negligence, emphasizing that no individual is beyond the reach of the law.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, during a meeting with the special investigative committee at the Council of Ministers, Al-Sudani expressed concerns about the negligence and inadequate performance threatening citizens' lives. He highlighted a pervasive sense of mistrust in service agencies, stating that poor performance is a significant issue. He assured that there would be no favoritism or cover-ups, stressing collective responsibility for citizen safety.

Al-Sudani underscored that safety and civil defense protocols are not optional but mandatory legal requirements. He lamented the tragic loss of lives, indicating that proper procedures and expertise could have prevented the disaster.

The Prime Minister called for a performance overhaul within ministries, advocating for empowerment and accountability of officials. He criticized the approval of operations without sufficient safety measures, pointing to negligence and serious shortcomings.

The Council of Ministers hosted the investigative committee during a session to scrutinize the fire incident. Al-Sudani offered condolences to the victims' families and detailed his immediate response, including inspecting the site and meeting with local authorities and ministers.

He further explained, as per his media office statement, that the incident is a test for state institutions, necessitating a professional and scientific investigation to identify causes and accountability. He affirmed that legal compliance is paramount, and violations must cease. The Prime Minister endorsed the committee's recommendations and tasked the General Secretariat with reporting on the implementation within a month.