At least 60 people killed in Iraq market fire, state media says

Associated Press

A fire at a mall in eastern Iraq kills more than 60 people

Kut, Iraq: Dozens killed as massive fire rips through multi-storey commercial building

Guardian

Fire at newly opened Iraqi shopping centre kills 61 people

Reuters

Fire Iraq Mall Kills 69 Prime Minister Orders Probe 2025 07 17

A devastating fire in a hypermarket in Al-Kut city in southern Iraq killed 69 people on Wednesday, with most victims dying from suffocation due to heavy smoke, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry. The five-story shopping center had opened just one week earlier and also housed a restaurant and supermarket.

The Arab Weekly

A devastating fire in a hypermarket in Al-Kut city in southern Iraq killed 69 people on Wednesday, with most victims dying from suffocation due to heavy smoke, according to Iraq's Interior Ministry. The five-story shopping center had opened just one week earlier and also housed a restaurant and supermarket.

The civil defense rescued more than 45 people, who were trapped inside the building, while 14 bodies remained severely charred they could not be immediately identified, officials reported. Videos showed firefighters spraying water on the blazing structure and assisting people in climbing down from the roof.

Vatican News

The civil defense rescued more than 45 people, who were trapped inside the building, while 14 bodies remained severely charred they could not be immediately identified, officials reported. Videos showed firefighters spraying water on the blazing structure and assisting people in climbing down from the roof.

Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Mayyeh declared three days of mourning and announced that legal cases had been filed against the building owner and mall owner, though specific charges were not disclosed. Initial investigation results are expected to be released within 48 hours, according to state media reports.

France 24

Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Mayyeh declared three days of mourning and announced that legal cases had been filed against the building owner and mall owner, though specific charges were not disclosed. Initial investigation results are expected to be released within 48 hours, according to state media reports.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate investigation into the fire's causes and directed the interior minister to visit the site to implement measures preventing similar incidents. The tragedy has prompted calls for a comprehensive review of fire safety protocols in public buildings across Iraq.

BBC News

Shafaq News

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate investigation into the fire's causes and directed the interior minister to visit the site to implement measures preventing similar incidents. The tragedy has prompted calls for a comprehensive review of fire safety protocols in public buildings across Iraq.

Witnesses said an AC unit explosion on the second floor may have sparked the blaze, which spread rapidly due to flammable materials and poor safety systems. The building reportedly lacked emergency exits, fire alarms, and sprinklers, in violation of local safety regulations.

Washington Post

Witnesses said an AC unit explosion on the second floor may have sparked the blaze, which spread rapidly due to flammable materials and poor safety systems. The building reportedly lacked emergency exits, fire alarms, and sprinklers, in violation of local safety regulations.

Iraq has seen several deadly fires in recent years due to poor construction and lax safety, including a 2023 wedding hall blaze that killed over 100 and a 2021 hospital fire that left 80 dead. Safety rules are often ignored, especially in summer when temperatures reach 50°C.

Iraq has seen several deadly fires in recent years due to poor construction and lax safety, including a 2023 wedding hall blaze that killed over 100 and a 2021 hospital fire that left 80 dead. Safety rules are often ignored, especially in summer when temperatures reach 50°C.

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Civil defense teams rescued more than 45 people who were trapped inside the burning building, while 14 bodies remained so severely charred they could not be immediately identified, officials reported. Videos showed firefighters spraying water on the blazing structure and helping people climb down from the roof during rescue operations.</span

Guardian #

Vatican News #

Civil defense teams rescued more than 45 people who were trapped inside the burning building, while 14 bodies remained so severely charred they could not be immediately identified, officials reported. Videos showed firefighters spraying water on the blazing structure and helping people climb down from the roof during rescue operations.

Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi declared three days of mourning and announced that legal cases had been filed against the building owner and mall owner, though specific charges were not disclosed. Initial investigation results are expected to be released within 48 hours, according to state media reports.</span

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera #

Associated Press #1998

Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi declared three days of mourning and announced that legal cases had been filed against the building owner and mall owner, though specific charges were not disclosed. Initial investigation results are expected to be released within 48 hours, according to state media reports.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate investigation into the fire's causes and directed the interior minister to visit the site to implement measures preventing similar incidents. The tragedy has prompted calls for a comprehensive review of fire safety protocols in public buildings across Iraq.</span

BBC News #

CNN #

Witnesses reported that an air conditioning unit explosion on the second floor may have triggered the blaze, which quickly spread throughout the building due to highly flammable construction materials and lack of proper safety systems. The building allegedly lacked emergency exits, fire alarms, and adequate fire suppression systems, violating local safety regulations.</span

France 24 #

Washington Post #

Witnesses reported that an air conditioning unit explosion on the second floor may have triggered the blaze, which quickly spread throughout the building due to highly flammable construction materials and lack of proper safety systems. The building allegedly lacked emergency exits, fire alarms, and adequate fire suppression systems, violating local safety regulations.

Iraq has experienced multiple deadly fires in recent years due to poor building standards and inadequate safety measures, including a 2023 wedding hall fire that killed over 100 people and a 2021 hospital fire that claimed more than 80 lives. Safety standards in Iraq's construction sector are frequently disregarded, particularly during summer months when temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius.</span

Reuters #

Iraq has experienced multiple deadly fires in recent years due to poor building standards and inadequate safety measures, including a 2023 wedding hall fire that killed over 100 people and a 2021 hospital fire that claimed more than 80 lives. Safety standards in Iraq's construction sector are frequently disregarded, particularly during summer months when temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius.

While this fire represents a terrible loss of life, Iraqi authorities responded swiftly with rescue operations that saved 45 people and immediately launched investigations. The government's quick action to file legal cases against responsible parties and order safety reviews demonstrates commitment to preventing future tragedies.

While this fire represents a terrible loss of life, Iraqi authorities responded swiftly with rescue operations that saved 45 people and immediately launched investigations. The government's quick action to file legal cases against responsible parties and order safety reviews demonstrates commitment to preventing future tragedies.

Iraq Mall Fire Kills 61, Sparks Safety Concerns

This tragedy exposes Iraq's systemic failure to enforce basic safety standards in construction projects. The mall opened without proper fire exits, alarms, or suppression systems - clear violations that cost innocent lives. Government corruption and negligence in oversight have created a pattern of preventable disasters that demand immediate accountability.

This tragedy exposes Iraq's systemic failure to enforce basic safety standards in construction projects. The mall opened without proper fire exits, alarms, or suppression systems - clear violations that cost innocent lives. Government corruption and negligence in oversight have created a pattern of preventable disasters that demand immediate accountability.

Iraq Mall Fire Kills 61, Sparks Safety Concerns

Iraq Mall Fire Kills 61, Sparks Safety Concerns

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Iraq Mall Fire Kills 61, Sparks Safety Concerns

Iraq Mall Fire Kills 61, Sparks Safety Concerns

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