ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday extended condolences to the government and people of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over a recent horrific traffic accident that killed at least 14 people and injured dozens others, wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded.

On Friday, the UAE’s interior ministry announced a major collision at the entrance to the Emirate of Fujairah “involving 18 cars and five trucks,” noting that preliminary information indicates that “14 people have lost their lives and 30 others have been injured.”

The ministry stressed that specialized teams were dispatched to the scene and working with relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and complete field procedures.

“Our deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy go to our sister nation, the United Arab Emirates, its leadership, government, and people, over the victims of the tragic traffic accident in the Emirate of Fujairah,” read a statement from the Kurdish premier.

“We ask Almighty God to envelop the victims in His boundless mercy and grant them a place in His vast gardens of Paradise, to grant the injured and wounded a speedy recovery, and to inspire their families and loved ones with patience and solace,” he added.

The Iraqi foreign ministry also extended “its sincere condolences and deepest sympathy” to the UAE over the tragic accident in a statement on Thursday, affirming Baghdad’s solidarity with the UAE “during this painful ordeal,” expressing sympathy to the families of the victims and wishing speedy recovery to the wounded.

Emirati local police later reported that the incident occurred when a truck driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with another vehicle. The truck overturned, hitting several other vehicles stuck in traffic before catching fire, with the flames spreading to the other vehicles.

The police added that 15 of the 30 injured individuals were discharged from the hospital after having received necessary medical care, while the remaining patients continue to receive medical attention.

The victims included nationals from the UAE, Oman, India, Brazil, Pakistan, Jordan, and Egypt, according to the Emirati authorities.