A motorcycle rigged with explosives caused the blast in the Iraqi city – where such incidents have been rare in recent years – killing at least four people and wounding four others, according to Iraqi officials, who blamed Islamic State militants.

With two other vehicles having seen on fire and black smoke billowed up into the sky, the blast that took place near a hospital rocked the residents in Basra city.

Egypt "presents its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy for the government and people of Iraq as well as the families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery," read the statement.

Egypt supports the measure Iraq will take to safeguard its security and stability, the ministry added.

Cairo also expressed its trust in its ability to overcome such an incident, stressing the necessity to preserve what Iraq has achieved over the past period at various levels.