Deadly Fire Guts Al-Kut Mall in Iraq, Over 60 Killed and Dozens Missing

A catastrophic fire tore through the newly launched Corniche Hypermarket Mall in the heart of Al-Kut on Wednesday, leaving at least 60 people dead and 11 missing. The blaze, which engulfed the five-storey building just five days after its opening, has shaken the nation and drawn global attention.

Videos on social media showed towering flames and thick smoke as firefighters battled overnight to contain the inferno. Medical officials confirmed the grim death toll on Thursday, with many victims burned beyond recognition. One health official noted, “We’ve identified 59 victims, but one body is unrecognizable due to severe burns.”

Rescue operations continued through the early hours, with ambulances transporting victims and firefighters searching for survivors beneath the rubble. Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror, with families trapped on upper floors and some stranded on the roof awaiting rescue.

Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi declared the incident a national tragedy and vowed legal action against the building owner and mall operator. “This is a calamity. We’ll investigate the cause and hold those responsible accountable,” he said, confirming an official report will be released within 48 hours.

Initial reports suggest the fire may have been triggered by an electrical fault, possibly an exploding air conditioner. However, questions are being raised about negligence, lack of fire safety compliance, and inadequate emergency exits in the building.

The mall was reportedly full of families seeking refuge from Iraq’s harsh summer heat and power outages. Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi, who lost five family members, tearfully said, “We came for dinner… and were trapped in flames.”

As rescue and identification efforts continue, national mourning grows for the victims of one of Iraq’s worst peacetime tragedies in recent memory.