ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and President Nizar Amedi on Monday offered their condolences to victims of the tragic multi-vehicle crash in Kirkuk, stressing the need to strengthen the enforcement of traffic rules.

At least six people were killed and around 20 others injured in a multi-vehicle crash in Kirkuk involving some 40 cars on Sunday, after a truck driver lost control of his vehicle at high speed in the city.

In his condolence message, Sudani ordered authorities to support the victims’ families and the wounded, while stressing the need to “ensure safety conditions and enforce traffic rules to prevent similar incidents.”

Excessive speeding, the failure to abide by traffic signs, and a lack of seatbelt wearing are key causes of fatal car accidents in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Amedi also extended his condolences while calling on relevant authorities to take “urgent and firm measures to prevent similar incidents, protect lives, and strengthen public safety procedures.”

Under the direction of Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Health Minister Saman Barzanji on Monday visited those injured in the deadly crash, expressing readiness to provide whatever is necessary for their treatment.

Barzanji “emphasised the hospitals' readiness to receive further wounded from yesterday evening's incident… to perform surgical operations, dispatch emergency medical teams, and provide blood, medicine, medical supplies, and whatever else may be needed,” according to a statement from the health ministry.