July 17, (THEWILL) — A massive fire at a newly opened shopping mall in Kut, southeastern Iraq, has claimed the lives of over 60 people, with at least 14 victims still unidentified.
The country’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the blaze broke out on Wednesday night at the Corniche Hypermarket, just five days after it officially opened for business.
According to eyewitnesses, the fire was triggered by an air conditioner explosion. One of the survivors, Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi, who lost five members of his family, said the fire spread rapidly, leaving many unable to escape.
Videos circulating on social media showed multiple floors of the building engulfed in flames, as firefighters battled the inferno and rescued people stranded on the roof.
Describing the incident as a tragedy, Regional Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi vowed to take legal action against the mall’s owner. He also ordered an immediate and thorough review of safety protocols at commercial facilities in the region.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, as public anger grows over recurring lapses in building safety standards across the country.
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