Iraq Shopping Mall Fire: At Least 60 Dead in Al-Kut, Cause Under Investigation

In a tragic incident, a massive fire at a shopping mall in Iraq's Al-Kut city has claimed the lives of at least 60 people, according to officials in Wasit province. The fire broke out at a large hypermarket complex, with visuals circulating online showing massive flames engulfing the building and thick smoke billowing into the sky.

🔥 Death Toll Rises to 60 in Iraq Mall Fire

Wasit Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi confirmed the fatalities, stating that 59 victims have been identified, while one body was so badly charred that identification has been extremely difficult. More bodies are being recovered from the site as rescue operations continue.

“We have compiled a list of 59 victims whose identities have been confirmed,” a city health official told Reuters, adding that DNA testing may be needed for the unidentified remains.

📍 What Happened at the Al-Kut Hypermarket?

The fire occurred at a busy hypermarket in Al-Kut, a city located southeast of Baghdad.

Viral videos from the scene showed large sections of the building engulfed in flames.

Emergency teams rushed to the location, but the scale of the fire made rescue efforts extremely challenging.

🕵️ Investigation Underway; Legal Action Initiated

The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but initial probe findings are expected to be released within 48 hours, according to Iran’s state-run INA news agency.

Governor Miyahi also confirmed that lawsuits have been filed against both the building owner and the mall management, citing negligence and potential safety violations.

📰 Related Incidents and Context

This fire marks one of the deadliest commercial building fires in Iraq in recent years. It has raised serious concerns over fire safety standards, emergency preparedness, and regulatory enforcement in public spaces across the country.