At Least 60 Dead in Massive Fire at Newly Opened Iraqi Mall
Published : 21:24, 17 July 2025
A devastating fire swept through a newly opened five-storey shopping mall in the city of Kut, southeast of Baghdad, killing at least 60 people and injuring dozens more, Iraqi officials confirmed.
The fire broke out late Wednesday night at the Corniche Hypermarket, which had opened just a week prior. Emergency services responded swiftly, battling flames that engulfed multiple floors of the building and rescuing trapped individuals. Despite efforts, many victims reportedly died of smoke inhalation, with some found inside bathrooms. The Iraqi Interior Ministry said 14 of the deceased remain unidentified due to severe burns.
According to official statements, 45 individuals were rescued from the burning mall. Videos shared on social media and local news outlets showed flames consuming the building, as firefighters used cranes and ladders to evacuate people stranded on the rooftop.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, though early reports suggest an air conditioning unit may have exploded on the second floor, triggering the blaze. Iraq's Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has ordered a full investigation into the incident and instructed authorities to examine whether safety regulations were followed.
Officials also noted that the shopping centre lacked an adequate fire suppression system. Regional Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi announced three days of mourning and vowed legal action against the mall’s owner.
Iraq has witnessed several fatal fire incidents in recent years, largely due to poor safety enforcement and aging infrastructure. In 2023, over 100 people were killed during a fire at a Christian wedding in Nineveh province, and in 2021, more than 90 perished in a blaze at a Covid-19 hospital ward in Nasiriya.
The latest tragedy underscores ongoing concerns about public safety in Iraq’s commercial and public buildings, as reconstruction efforts continue to struggle with corruption, neglect, and weak oversight.
Source: INA, AFP, Reuters, BBC News
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