At Least 50 Killed in Devastating Fire at Iraq Shopping Mall

A massive fire tore through a hypermarket in the city of Al-Kut, Iraq, late Wednesday night, claiming the lives of at least 50 people and leaving dozens more injured. Wasit province governor Mohammed al-Miyahi confirmed the grim toll on Thursday, describing the disaster as one of the deadliest in the region’s recent history.

Emergency services responded to scenes of chaos as the five-storey building was engulfed in flames, with viral videos circulating on social media showing smoke billowing and fire consuming a large section of the structure. The hypermarket, known locally as “Hyper Mall,” had only opened its doors five days prior to the tragedy.

Hospitals across Al-Kut reported a surge of casualties through the early hours, with emergency response teams still transporting victims late into the morning. The shopping mall, located around 160 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, became the scene of frantic rescue operations as firefighters battled to gain control over the blaze.

Governor al-Miyahi told official media that legal proceedings had already been initiated against the mall’s owner, as well as the building’s proprietor. He assured that a thorough investigation was underway, with initial probe findings expected to be released within 48 hours. “The number of victims has reached about 50 people, martyrs and injured, in the tragic fire at a major shopping centre,” the governor was quoted as saying.

The exact cause of the fire remains undetermined. However, early reports suggest the blaze may have originated on the first floor before rapidly spreading throughout the newly constructed complex. Authorities have not ruled out issues related to fire safety protocols or building materials, as similar concerns have plagued commercial constructions across Iraq in recent years.

The fire has prompted widespread reaction on social media, with users expressing shock and grief while calling for improved safety standards. Some compared the tragedy to previous deadly fires in Iraqi malls and public spaces, including last year’s fatal blaze at a wedding hall in Nineveh province, which killed over 100 people and exposed longstanding gaps in fire prevention and safety enforcement.