🔥 Tragedy Strikes Iraq: Fire at Newly Opened Mall Kills at Least 61 People

A devastating fire swept through the Corniche Hypermarket Mall in Kut, eastern Iraq, just five days after it opened, killing at least 61 people and leaving 11 more missing. The disaster has sent shockwaves across the country and prompted authorities to launch an urgent investigation.

According to Iraq’s interior ministry, most victims died of suffocation, many trapped in bathrooms, while 14 charred bodies remain unidentified. One eyewitness shared the heartbreaking loss of five relatives who perished inside an elevator as the flames engulfed the five-story building.

“We went to the mall to eat dinner and escape the power cuts at home,” said Nasir al-Quraishi, an Iraqi doctor who lost five family members. “An air conditioner exploded on the second floor, and the fire erupted—we couldn’t escape.”

The blaze is believed to have started on the first floor and spread rapidly, though the exact cause has not been officially confirmed. Early reports suggest a malfunctioning air conditioner may have triggered the fire.

Despite heroic efforts by civil defense teams, who managed to rescue over 45 people, the tragedy stands among Iraq’s worst peacetime disasters in recent memory.

A History of Deadly Fires

This incident is the latest in a string of catastrophic fires in Iraq. In 2023, over 100 people were killed in a wedding hall blaze that triggered a deadly stampede. In 2021, more than 60 lives were lost when a COVID-19 hospital unit went up in flames.

Experts blame Iraq’s construction and safety oversight, citing widespread neglect of fire codes and preventive measures.

Calls for Accountability

Governor Miyahi declared a three-day mourning period and vowed legal action against the mall’s contractor and owner.

“This tragedy is a major shock... and it demands a serious review of all safety measures,” the governor stated.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered a thorough investigation to identify failures and prevent such disasters in the future.

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🔥 Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.
Please share this story to raise awareness and push for better safety standards in public buildings.

🕯️ May the victims rest in peace.
📢 Let this be a wake-up call.