The devastating blaze erupted just days after the mall's grand opening, prompting urgent rescues and raising questions about fire safety regulations in the region.
Tragedy Strikes Iraq: Deadly Fire Claims 61 Lives in New Shopping Centre
Tragedy Strikes Iraq: Deadly Fire Claims 61 Lives in New Shopping Centre
A catastrophic fire in a recently opened shopping centre in Kut, Iraq, has resulted in at least 61 fatalities and many missing.
In the eastern city of Kut, tragedy struck when a five-storey shopping centre was engulfed in flames, leaving the community reeling. Local officials reported that at least 61 people have died, while many others remain unaccounted for after the fire broke out Wednesday night. According to the Iraq Interior Ministry, the victims included a significant number who perished from smoke inhalation in the shopping centre's bathrooms.
Emergency services worked throughout the night to control the fire at the Corniche Hypermarket, which had welcomed customers only a week prior. Eyewitness videos captured desperate attempts by firefighters to rescue individuals trapped on the roof. The fire was eventually brought under control, but not without significant loss.
Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi described the incident as a "tragedy and a calamity" and announced a three-day mourning period. He further indicated that legal action against the shopping centre's owner would be pursued, as the fire's cause remains unknown.
Among the survivors, numerous harrowing stories emerged. Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor, recounted the sorrow of losing five family members who had visited the mall for a meal. Another distraught man, Ali Kadhim, searched anxiously for his missing relatives amidst the chaos.
The lack of a functional fire extinguishing system was highlighted by witnesses, raising serious concerns regarding adherence to safety standards in recent Iraqi construction projects. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani extended condolences to the victims' families and requested an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disaster, emphasizing the need to prevent future tragedies.
With a legacy of fire-related incidents, including a devastating wedding party fire last year that resulted in over 100 deaths, Iraq’s authorities face mounting pressure to enforce stricter safety regulations and restore public trust.
Emergency services worked throughout the night to control the fire at the Corniche Hypermarket, which had welcomed customers only a week prior. Eyewitness videos captured desperate attempts by firefighters to rescue individuals trapped on the roof. The fire was eventually brought under control, but not without significant loss.
Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi described the incident as a "tragedy and a calamity" and announced a three-day mourning period. He further indicated that legal action against the shopping centre's owner would be pursued, as the fire's cause remains unknown.
Among the survivors, numerous harrowing stories emerged. Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor, recounted the sorrow of losing five family members who had visited the mall for a meal. Another distraught man, Ali Kadhim, searched anxiously for his missing relatives amidst the chaos.
The lack of a functional fire extinguishing system was highlighted by witnesses, raising serious concerns regarding adherence to safety standards in recent Iraqi construction projects. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani extended condolences to the victims' families and requested an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disaster, emphasizing the need to prevent future tragedies.
With a legacy of fire-related incidents, including a devastating wedding party fire last year that resulted in over 100 deaths, Iraq’s authorities face mounting pressure to enforce stricter safety regulations and restore public trust.
