Triplets were Kiwi parents' pride and joy

The grieving New Zealand parents of triplets killed in a mall fire in Qatar have said the two-year-olds were "the sunshine in our world".

Lillie, Jackson and Willsher Weekes were attending a childcare centre in the Villaggio mall in Doha when a blaze broke out on Monday, killing them and 16 others.

Jane and Martin Weekes, who attended a vigil for the victims at a park near the mall on Tuesday, released a statement thanking people for their support.

"Lillie, Jackson and Willsher came into this world together and were inseparable as siblings, best friends and the joy of our life.

"Tragically, they left together after only two short years. A time that was lived to the full everyday with us laughing, playing, waking us at all hours of the night and simply being the sunshine in our world.

"We would like to thank everyone for their love and support. Our thoughts are also with the other families affected by this tragedy," the family statement said.

The children's New Zealand grandparents were flying to Qatar and staff from the New Zealand embassy in Saudi Arabia were offering the grieving couple support.