A devastating fire ripped through a newly opened five-storey shopping centre in the Iraqi city of Kut late Wednesday night, killing at least 61 people and injuring dozens more. Officials confirmed the blaze engulfed the Corniche Hypermarket — a popular new commercial hub in the centre of the city — just one week after its grand opening. The tragedy has left the nation in shock and mourning.
According to Iraq’s Interior Ministry, the majority of the victims died from smoke inhalation, with many found trapped inside bathrooms, unable to escape the thick, toxic fumes. Fourteen of the bodies recovered were so badly burned they have yet to be identified. At least 45 people were rescued from the building by emergency services, and dozens more were rushed to local hospitals, many suffering from burns or respiratory injuries.
The fire, which broke out around midnight, quickly consumed multiple floors of the mall before firefighters managed to bring it under control. Footage broadcast on Iraq’s state news channel INA showed massive flames pouring from windows as rescue teams struggled to contain the inferno. Videos circulating on social media captured the horror from different angles — showing people trapped on the roof calling for help, and later, the charred interior of the building.
In an emotional statement, regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi called the fire a national tragedy. “A tragedy and a calamity has befallen us,” he said during a press briefing early Thursday morning. He announced three days of mourning in Wasit province and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
“There will be legal action against the shopping centre’s owner,” al-Miyahi declared, adding that the rapid spread of the fire and the high death toll raised serious questions about safety protocols and building regulations at the mall.
60 dead after fire tears through Iraqi shopping centre, officials say
Emergency services were still transporting casualties to hospitals in Kut as late as 4:00 a.m. local time. Hospitals were overwhelmed with victims, prompting authorities to call for blood donations and additional medical personnel to support the emergency response.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially determined, but officials indicated that an investigation is underway. Early speculation suggests a possible electrical short circuit could be to blame, a common hazard in Iraqi commercial structures due to substandard wiring and lack of oversight. However, deliberate negligence in enforcing fire safety measures is also being considered.
Witnesses said the fire started on one of the lower floors and spread rapidly, with customers and staff inside the building caught off-guard. Several survivors told local media that they heard an explosion before smoke filled the air and the power went out. “People were screaming and running in every direction,” one survivor recalled. “It was chaos. Some of us managed to find the emergency exit, but many didn’t.”
Concerns are now growing about how the building received approval to open without adequate fire safety systems in place. The fact that the mall had opened just seven days before the incident has intensified public outrage, with citizens demanding stricter enforcement of safety standards for commercial developments.
The Corniche Hypermarket had quickly become a popular destination in Kut, a city located about 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad. With its modern shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities, it drew large crowds every day — which tragically may have contributed to the high number of casualties.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and instructed the Ministry of Interior to submit a full report within days. In a statement released by his office, he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
This latest disaster has reignited national concerns about lax enforcement of safety codes in Iraq, where fatal fires in public buildings — including hospitals and wedding halls — have become distressingly common. Just two years ago, a similar fire at a hospital in Nasiriyah claimed over 90 lives, prompting promises of reform that critics say were never fully implemented.
As Iraq mourns those lost in the Kut shopping centre fire, there are growing calls for real accountability — not just for those directly involved in this tragedy, but for a system that continues to allow preventable disasters to unfold.
For now, the charred remains of the Corniche Hypermarket stand as a haunting reminder of lives lost, lessons unlearned, and the urgent need for change.
