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Kut Mall Fire Kills Dozens, Probe Ordered Amid Safety Concerns
Deadly fire rips through Corniche Hypermarket in Kut, Iraq, killing dozens. Survivors blame faulty AC, lack of fire safety. PM orders probe; province mourns.
ND
by News Desk
2025-07-17
Kut Mall Fire Kills Dozens, Probe Ordered Amid Safety Concerns

A devastating overnight fire engulfed the Corniche Hypermarket in the city of Kut, Wasit province, claiming dozens of lives and injuring scores more, as grief-stricken families gathered at hospitals and forensic units for news of their missing loved ones.

Reuters footage from the aftermath showed the building’s charred façade, while firefighters and rescue teams were seen battling the flames and pulling people to safety from rooftops.

At least 45 people were rescued, but many others perished inside the building, which housed a supermarket, restaurant, and shopping area. Officials revealed that victims — including women, children, and entire families — suffocated in bathrooms, were trapped in elevators, or were unable to escape the fast-spreading flames.

“A Disaster Has Befallen Us”

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

His account echoes other witness reports, as initial speculation pointed to an electrical fault — a recurring issue in Iraq’s infrastructure — possibly sparking the blaze.

AFP reporters on the ground described horrifying scenes, with charred bodies arriving at local hospitals and relatives collapsing in grief outside medical facilities.

A doctor, who identified two of his missing relatives among the burned bodies, lashed out at the authorities:

“There is no fire extinguishing system in the mall.”

Widespread Negligence and History of Tragedies

Iraq’s construction safety standards are notoriously poor. The country has suffered several high-casualty incidents in recent years:

  • In September 2023, a fire at a wedding hall in Nineveh killed over 100 people.
  • In July 2021, a blaze in a Covid-19 ward killed more than 60 people.

Blistering summer temperatures nearing 50°C, combined with inadequate regulations, frequently result in fatal fires across Iraq.

Mourning Declared, Probe Launched

Wasit Governor declared three days of mourning and confirmed that lawsuits had been filed against the mall and building owners.

“The tragedy is a major shock and demands serious review of all safety measures,” he stated.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered a thorough investigation to identify the causes and hold accountable those responsible for negligence.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Iraq’s top Shia cleric, also extended his condolences to grieving families.

As the nation mourns, calls are growing louder for a systematic overhaul of safety laws and infrastructure enforcement to prevent further tragedies.
Tagged:

FireSafety

KutFire

IraqTragedy
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