A catastrophic fire has engulfed the recently opened Corniche Hypermarket Mall in Kut City, Iraq, resulting in tragic loss of life and numerous injuries, according to state media reports. The inferno broke out on Wednesday night, just five days after the mall’s grand opening, prompting immediate emergency response.
Medical personnel informed AFP that the death toll has reached at least 55, with search operations continuing for those unaccounted for. Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi expressed deep sorrow at the incident, describing it as a significant calamity and announcing plans for legal action against the mall's owner.
Eyewitness videos broadcast on INA's news channel have captured dramatic scenes of flames engulfing the multi-storey building while firefighters battled to contain the fire. In addition, social media has revealed alarming images of a handful of individuals stranded on the roof as well as charred interiors of the shopping centre.
Rescue teams successfully extricated several individuals from the blaze, while ambulances have been continuously transporting victims to hospitals in Kut, located approximately 160 km southeast of Baghdad. The medical community is grappling with the aftermath, as local doctor Nasir al-Quraishi shared his anguish, having lost five family members who had visited the mall seeking refuge from persistent power outages.
Preliminary findings regarding the cause of the fire indicate that an air conditioning unit exploded on the second floor, igniting the catastrophic blaze that prevented many from escaping. A source close to the investigation stated, “We have more than 50 martyrs, and many unidentified bodies,” emphasizing the scale of the tragedy.
Governor al-Miyahi stated that an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire, with initial reports anticipated within 48 hours. He reassured the public of a thorough examination of the safety measures in place, acknowledging that the tragedy serves as a critical wake-up call for enhanced building regulations.
This unfolding tragedy in Kut serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in public spaces, leaving the community and nation in mourning and shock as more details emerge from the investigation.
Medical personnel informed AFP that the death toll has reached at least 55, with search operations continuing for those unaccounted for. Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi expressed deep sorrow at the incident, describing it as a significant calamity and announcing plans for legal action against the mall's owner.
Eyewitness videos broadcast on INA's news channel have captured dramatic scenes of flames engulfing the multi-storey building while firefighters battled to contain the fire. In addition, social media has revealed alarming images of a handful of individuals stranded on the roof as well as charred interiors of the shopping centre.
Rescue teams successfully extricated several individuals from the blaze, while ambulances have been continuously transporting victims to hospitals in Kut, located approximately 160 km southeast of Baghdad. The medical community is grappling with the aftermath, as local doctor Nasir al-Quraishi shared his anguish, having lost five family members who had visited the mall seeking refuge from persistent power outages.
Preliminary findings regarding the cause of the fire indicate that an air conditioning unit exploded on the second floor, igniting the catastrophic blaze that prevented many from escaping. A source close to the investigation stated, “We have more than 50 martyrs, and many unidentified bodies,” emphasizing the scale of the tragedy.
Governor al-Miyahi stated that an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the fire, with initial reports anticipated within 48 hours. He reassured the public of a thorough examination of the safety measures in place, acknowledging that the tragedy serves as a critical wake-up call for enhanced building regulations.
This unfolding tragedy in Kut serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety in public spaces, leaving the community and nation in mourning and shock as more details emerge from the investigation.
