A catastrophic fire has engulfed a five-storey shopping centre in Kut, Iraq, leaving 61 dead and many still unaccounted for, according to local officials. The inferno broke out on Wednesday night in the Corniche Hypermarket, just one week after its inauguration. Although firefighters managed to control the flames, efforts continue for those believed to be trapped inside.
Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi referred to the incident as a “tragedy and a calamity,” and announced that legal proceedings would be initiated against the mall's owner. As of now, the cause of the fire remains undetermined, prompting a three-day mourning period as the nation grapples with the horrific loss.
Videos circulating on social media captured firefighters rescuing individuals from the roof of the shopping centre. However, widespread reports indicated that many victims suffered smoke inhalation, with the interior ministry stating that most fatalities occurred in bathrooms. Among them were 14 bodies yet to be identified.
Nasir al-Quraishi, a local doctor, expressed his grief after losing five family members in the disaster. Witnesses recounted that the blaze began after an air conditioner exploded, creating a panic that prevented many from escaping to safety. Ali Kadhim, searching for his missing relatives, lamented alongside other heartbroken families at the main hospital.
Moataz Karim identified two of his relatives among the victims, highlighting the mall's lack of fire safety measures. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani extended condolences and initiated an inquiry into the fire’s cause and what might have contributed to the tragedy. The mall's construction raises concerns about safety standards, which are often neglected in Iraqi building practices amid ongoing issues of mismanagement and corruption.
This incident is not isolated; Iraq has seen previous catastrophic fires, including one in 2023 that claimed over 100 lives during a wedding celebration and another in a Covid hospital in 2021, killing more than 90. The latest tragedy emphasizes the pressing need for reforms in safety regulations and practices in Iraq to prevent such disasters in the future.
Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi referred to the incident as a “tragedy and a calamity,” and announced that legal proceedings would be initiated against the mall's owner. As of now, the cause of the fire remains undetermined, prompting a three-day mourning period as the nation grapples with the horrific loss.
Videos circulating on social media captured firefighters rescuing individuals from the roof of the shopping centre. However, widespread reports indicated that many victims suffered smoke inhalation, with the interior ministry stating that most fatalities occurred in bathrooms. Among them were 14 bodies yet to be identified.
Nasir al-Quraishi, a local doctor, expressed his grief after losing five family members in the disaster. Witnesses recounted that the blaze began after an air conditioner exploded, creating a panic that prevented many from escaping to safety. Ali Kadhim, searching for his missing relatives, lamented alongside other heartbroken families at the main hospital.
Moataz Karim identified two of his relatives among the victims, highlighting the mall's lack of fire safety measures. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani extended condolences and initiated an inquiry into the fire’s cause and what might have contributed to the tragedy. The mall's construction raises concerns about safety standards, which are often neglected in Iraqi building practices amid ongoing issues of mismanagement and corruption.
This incident is not isolated; Iraq has seen previous catastrophic fires, including one in 2023 that claimed over 100 lives during a wedding celebration and another in a Covid hospital in 2021, killing more than 90. The latest tragedy emphasizes the pressing need for reforms in safety regulations and practices in Iraq to prevent such disasters in the future.
