A massive fire tore through the newly opened Corniche Hypermarket Mall in the Iraqi city of Kut on Wednesday night, leaving at least 55 people dead and dozens more injured, according to medical officials cited by AFP. The multi-storey shopping centre, which had opened just five days earlier, quickly turned into a scene of devastation as flames engulfed the building and trapped shoppers inside.
Eyewitnesses and emergency responders described harrowing scenes as people scrambled to escape the blaze, which is believed to have started after an air conditioning unit exploded on the second floor. Videos from state media INA and social media showed towering flames consuming the building and desperate individuals stranded on the roof. Inside, much of the mall was left charred and gutted.
“We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home,” said Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi, who lost five family members in the tragedy. “A disaster has befallen us.”
The fire, now under control, triggered a large-scale rescue effort. Firefighters managed to pull some people from the burning building, while ambulances worked through the night to rush the injured to nearby hospitals. By 4:00 AM local time, emergency crews were still on the scene searching for the missing.
Regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi declared the incident a calamity, promising legal action against the mall’s owner. “A tragedy and a calamity has befallen us,” he said. “The tragedy is a major shock. There will be a serious review of all safety measures.”
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, with preliminary findings expected within two days. A medical source noted that many of the deceased remain unidentified due to the intensity of the flames.
The Corniche Hypermarket Mall had quickly become a popular destination for families seeking relief from summer heat and power outages. The fire now stands as one of the deadliest recent incidents in Iraq, highlighting ongoing concerns about safety standards in public buildings.
