Following a fire that erupted Wednesday night in a newly inaugurated shopping mall in Kut, local officials have reported a staggering toll of 61 deceased, with many individuals still missing. The inferno, which was brought under control, drew the attention of emergency responders and citizens alike, as social media posts depicted firefighters rescuing people from the roof. Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi expressed profound sorrow, describing it as a “tragedy and calamity,” and vowed to hold the mall's owner accountable as an investigation into the incident begins.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but eyewitness accounts suggest an air conditioner on the second floor might have triggered the blaze. Al-Miyahi declared three days of mourning for the victims, as reports emerged of individuals suffocating in bathrooms. Ambulances continue to transport survivors to hospitals in the city, which is located approximately 160 km southeast of Baghdad.
The interior ministry confirmed that among the fatalities, 14 remains are still unidentifiable as many succumbed to smoke inhalation. Frantic family members have gathered at local hospitals and the mall to search for their loved ones. Eyewitnesses lamented the lack of a functioning fire suppression system in the building, raising further concerns about safety regulations.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani extended his condolences and has called for an immediate probe into the incident, emphasizing the need to enforce safety standards rigorously to prevent future tragedies. The Corniche Hypermarket, which just opened a week ago and included a restaurant, has now become the focal point of national grief reflective of ongoing issues with safety oversight in Iraq's infrastructure, especially following previous calamities involving fires in crowded venues.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but eyewitness accounts suggest an air conditioner on the second floor might have triggered the blaze. Al-Miyahi declared three days of mourning for the victims, as reports emerged of individuals suffocating in bathrooms. Ambulances continue to transport survivors to hospitals in the city, which is located approximately 160 km southeast of Baghdad.
The interior ministry confirmed that among the fatalities, 14 remains are still unidentifiable as many succumbed to smoke inhalation. Frantic family members have gathered at local hospitals and the mall to search for their loved ones. Eyewitnesses lamented the lack of a functioning fire suppression system in the building, raising further concerns about safety regulations.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani extended his condolences and has called for an immediate probe into the incident, emphasizing the need to enforce safety standards rigorously to prevent future tragedies. The Corniche Hypermarket, which just opened a week ago and included a restaurant, has now become the focal point of national grief reflective of ongoing issues with safety oversight in Iraq's infrastructure, especially following previous calamities involving fires in crowded venues.
