A massive fire that tore through a shopping centre in Kut, southeastern Iraq, has claimed the lives of at least 60 people, with many others injured or still unaccounted for. Authorities confirmed that the blaze, which broke out late Wednesday night, engulfed the newly opened Corniche Hypermarket and took several hours to bring under control.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene as flames quickly consumed multiple floors of the building. Dramatic videos shared online showed firefighters battling intense heat and smoke while rescuing trapped individuals from the rooftop.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that most of the victims died from smoke inhalation, with 14 charred bodies yet to be identified. Ambulances continued to transport casualties to hospitals well into the early morning hours.
“This is a deep and painful tragedy. We have lost innocent lives,” said regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi, who also announced three days of mourning across the province. He assured the public that investigations had begun and legal steps would be taken against those found responsible.
A preliminary account suggests the fire may have started with an electrical fault—possibly linked to an air conditioning unit—triggering a rapid spread through the building. Survivors reported a lack of accessible emergency exits and a delayed evacuation response.
Among those mourning was local resident Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi, who lost five family members. “We only went there to eat and escape the blackout at home. Then everything turned to horror,” he said.
The Corniche Hypermarket had opened just five days earlier, and questions are now being raised about safety compliance and oversight during its construction and operation. Iraq has faced a series of high-profile fires in recent years, often blamed on poor enforcement of building regulations and systemic corruption.
In 2023, a fire at a wedding hall in Nineveh province killed over 100 people, and in 2021, more than 90 lives were lost in a hospital blaze in Nasiriya. These incidents have amplified calls for stricter safety enforcement across the country.
As rescue efforts continue and the death toll could still rise, officials are urging families with missing relatives to visit nearby hospitals and morgues for identification.
