More than 60 lives have been lost in a devastating fire that swept through a shopping centre in Kut, southeast Iraq.
The inferno broke out on Wednesday night in a five-storey building that housed a supermarket, a restaurant, and the newly opened Kut Mall.
By Thursday morning, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior confirmed 61 deaths. Most of them died from suffocation. “Fourteen of the victims are still unidentified,” the ministry said.
Photos and video shared on local media showed the massive structure swallowed by flames as smoke billowed into the night sky.
“We won’t be lenient with those responsible”
Rescue efforts saved over 45 people who were trapped inside. Many others are still unaccounted for.
Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Mayyeh issued a public statement saying the authorities were taking legal action.
“We assure the families of the innocent victims that we will not be lenient with those who were directly or indirectly responsible for this incident,” he said.
While he didn’t name specific charges, legal cases have already been filed against both the building and shopping centre owners.
Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani has declared three days of national mourning for the victims.
He also dispatched the Minister of Interior to the site, directing him to investigate and take urgent preventive steps.
“An investigation has been launched, and the preliminary results will be released within 48 hours,” the governor added.
Recurring Tragedy Fueled by Poor Standards
Fire disasters like this are not new to Iraq.
In July 2021, a similar fire at a hospital in Nasiriyah killed over 60 people. Investigators blamed it on flammable sandwich panel cladding — illegal but still widely used.
In 2023, over 100 guests died at a wedding in Nineveh Province after pyrotechnics ignited ceiling panels in the hall.
Despite repeated tragedies, building safety laws are poorly enforced across the country. Flammable materials are still used to cut costs, putting lives at risk.
Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
