IRAQ: A devastating fire tore through a newly opened five-storey commercial complex in Kut city, eastern Iraq, on Wednesday night, leaving at least 61 people dead and several others unaccounted for. The building, which housed a hypermarket, restaurant, and various shops, had only been operational for a week. According to Iraq’s Interior Ministry, the fire broke out during peak hours when many families were shopping and dining, causing panic and chaos as flames spread rapidly through the structure.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with civil defence teams recovering 14 charred bodies and rescuing at least 45 individuals from the inferno. Authorities reported that 59 victims have been identified so far, with one body too badly burned for immediate recognition. Graphic footage posted on social media captured the towering blaze and desperate rescue operations as firefighters struggled to contain the fire and reach those trapped inside. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of terror and confusion as people attempted to flee the building.
Wasit province Governor Mohammed al-Mayahi confirmed that the fire originated from inside both the hypermarket and a nearby restaurant. He described the event as a tragedy of enormous scale, emphasizing the number of families present at the time of the fire. Despite the rapid spread of the flames, firefighters managed to save several lives before the fire was brought under control. Al-Mayahi has ordered a comprehensive investigation and pledged transparency, stating that full findings will be released within 48 hours.
Legal action is already underway, with lawsuits filed against the building and mall owners, as reported by the Iraqi News Agency (INA). In response to the tragedy, local authorities have announced three days of mourning throughout Wasit province. While investigations are ongoing, the official cause of the fire remains undetermined. This incident has once again raised serious concerns about fire safety standards in public buildings across the country.
