A devastating fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut on Wednesday night, killing at least 61 people, including children, and injuring many others, according to officials.

The Interior Ministry said civil defense teams managed to rescue more than 45 individuals trapped inside the five-story Corniche Hypermarket Mall, which had opened just a week earlier. However, several people are still missing, state media reported.

The blaze, which began on the mall’s second floor in a section selling perfumes and cosmetics, spread rapidly. Most victims reportedly died from suffocation, while 14 charred bodies remain unidentified.

Local residents and officials blamed the tragedy on inadequate fire safety measures. Images shared on local media showed the building completely engulfed in flames.

“This is deeply painful,” said Abdul Redha Thahab, a 60-year-old Kut resident. “My neighbor’s entire family—six people—died in the fire.”

Wasit’s Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi announced three days of mourning and said legal actions were being taken against the building and mall owners. He claimed the building was converted into a shopping center without proper fire safety protocols.

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Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited the site on Thursday and instructed the Interior Minister to investigate and take steps to prevent such disasters in the future.

Poor building safety standards have led to deadly fires in Iraq before, including a 2021 hospital fire and a 2023 wedding hall blaze, both of which claimed dozens of lives. Survivors and victims’ relatives are demanding accountability.

Source: Agency