A massive fire at a shopping mall in the Iraqi city of Kut has killed at least 60 people and left many others injured. The incident happened late Wednesday night at the Corniche Hypermarket, which had opened just five days earlier.
According to Iraqi officials, the fire spread quickly through several floors of the building. Social media videos showed thick flames and black smoke as firefighters worked to rescue people trapped inside. Some were seen climbing to the roof to escape.
Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi confirmed the death toll and declared three days of mourning. He also said that legal action will be taken against the mall’s owner. “A tragedy and a calamity has befallen us,” he told local media.
The Iraq shopping mall fire has shocked the country, with emergency services still working at the scene. Many victims were taken to hospitals overnight. At 4:00 a.m., ambulances were still rushing casualties to nearby medical centers.
The interior ministry said 61 people died in the Kut Shopping Centre Fire, many from smoke inhalation while trapped in bathrooms. Fourteen of the bodies were severely burned and remain unidentified.
A local doctor, Nasir al-Quraishi, said he lost five family members in the disaster. “We went to the mall to eat dinner and escape power cuts,” he said.
He believes an exploding air conditioner on the second floor may have caused the fire.
Footage from the scene shows the aftermath of the fire, with burnt-out interiors and rescue crews still on duty. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause, but investigations are ongoing.
The fire has raised serious concerns about safety standards in new commercial buildings across Iraq. It also highlights the risks people face in public spaces where emergency systems may be lacking or poorly maintained.
