Iraq Hypermarket Fire Claims Over 60 Lives

Tragedy Strikes Kut City as New Mall Engulfed in Flames

A devastating inferno tore through a newly opened hypermarket in Kut city, eastern Iraq, claiming at least 61 lives and leaving several individuals unaccounted for. The blaze erupted as families were engaged in evening shopping and dining, authorities reported.

Catastrophe Unfolds

Officials from the Iraqi Interior Ministry confirmed on Thursday that 14 severely burned bodies were discovered at the scene. Civil defense teams successfully evacuated 45 people from the burning structure. Social media footage vividly depicted flames consuming the five-story complex, with firefighters battling to bring the conflagration under control.

The hypermarket, which had only commenced operations a week prior, also housed a restaurant and a supermarket. Reports indicate that individuals remained missing following the incident.

Official Response and Investigation

In response, Iraqi Prime Minister **Mohammad Shia al-Sudani** has mandated the interior minister to visit the disaster site. The prime minister stressed the need for an immediate investigation to ascertain the cause and implement preventative measures against future occurrences.

Wasit province governor, **Mohammed al-Mayahi**, stated that the fire originated in both the hypermarket and an adjacent restaurant. He described the scene as a “tragedy and a calamity,” noting that families were present for dinner and shopping when the incident began. Firefighters managed to rescue some individuals and extinguish the blaze.

“A tragedy and a calamity have befallen us.”

—Mohammed al-Mayahi, Wasit Province Governor

Three days of national mourning have been declared, and an investigation is underway, with findings expected within 48 hours. The governor announced legal action against the building and mall owners.

Pattern of Deadly Fires

Iraq has a history of catastrophic fires, often linked to substandard building materials and safety regulations. In July 2021, a fire at a Nasiriyah hospital killed over 60 people, with investigations pointing to the use of flammable cladding. More recently, in 2023, a wedding hall in Hamdaniya, Nineveh province, witnessed over 100 fatalities when ceiling panels ignited during a pyrotechnic display.

This latest disaster echoes these past tragedies, highlighting persistent safety concerns within the country’s infrastructure. According to the World Health Organization, building fires remain a significant public safety issue globally, with the International Labour Organization emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety standards in commercial spaces (ILO Safety and Health at Work).