A fire at a major shopping mall in Kut, Iraq, has left around 50 people dead or injured, local officials confirmed on Thursday.
The blaze broke out late Wednesday at Hyper Mall, a large shopping centre located about 160 kilometers southeast of Baghdad. The cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigations are underway.
Wasit province governor Mohammed al-Miyahi told state media that about 50 people were either killed or wounded in what he called a tragic fire. Emergency teams were still rushing casualties to hospitals until the early hours of Thursday.
Hospitals in Kut quickly filled with victims as ambulances continued to arrive past 4:00 a.m. According to on-ground reports, many of the injured suffered from burns and smoke inhalation.
An AFP reporter said that Hyper Mall had only been open for five days before the incident occurred. Initial reports indicate the fire may have started on the first floor of the building, although official confirmation has not yet been given.
Some of the bodies recovered were severely burned, and identification is ongoing.
Governor Miyahi announced a three-day mourning period in Wasit province. He also stated that legal action would be taken against both the building contractor and the mall’s ownership for possible safety violations.
The Iraq shopping mall fire has drawn national attention and raised concerns about fire safety standards in public places. The scale of the tragedy has led to public outcry and calls for stricter enforcement of building codes.
This is one of the deadliest fires reported in the country this year. As rescue efforts continue and investigations begin, more details are expected in the coming days.
In a related development, two shopping malls in Islamabad have also been sealed over safety concerns, read the full report here.
