A catastrophic fire at a hypermarket in Al-Kut, southern Iraq, has resulted in the deaths of at least 69 individuals, with 11 others reported missing, city health authorities and two police sources informed Reuters on Thursday. Reuters footage from the aftermath of the overnight inferno depicted the charred facade of the “Corniche Hypermarket” building, where rescue teams and security forces were still present. Videos verified by Reuters showed firefighters dousing the blazing structure overnight and people descending from the roof with assistance from rescue personnel.
“We still have more bodies that have not been recovered, remaining under fire debris,” stated Ali al-Mayahi, a city official. The precise cause of the fire was not immediately clear, though an initial police report indicated that the blaze first ignited on the floor dedicated to perfumes and cosmetics.
Mourners attended the funeral of victims in Najaf, Iraq. Ali Al-Zargani, whose residence borders the market building and who entered the premises after the fire subsided, recounted, “Raging fires trapped many people inside the mall, and everyone was desperately trying to find a way out. I witnessed the charred bodies of children and women lying on the ground — it was a horrifying scene.”
While some of the bodies were prepared for burial, with mourners weeping and offering prayers over the coffins, the remains of over 15 severely burned victims necessitated DNA testing for identification, a Reuters witness observed. As rescuers scoured the smoke-blackened building for additional victims, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate investigation to “uncover any shortcomings,” according to a statement from his office. His office also declared a period of national mourning.
The provincial governor stated that initial findings from the investigation would be announced within 48 hours, as reported by the INA state news agency. “We have filed lawsuits against the owner of the building and the mall,” INA quoted the governor as saying.
A prevalent lack of safety measures in Iraq has frequently led to significant casualties in fire incidents. In 2023, more than 100 people perished after a fire engulfed a crowded wedding hall in a northern town.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan expressed his profound sorrow over the casualties. In an X post, he wrote: “Deeply saddened by the tragic fire in al-Kut, Iraq, that has caused tragic loss of lives of innocent people. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.”
He concluded, “May the injured recover swiftly. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the people of Iraq in this hour of grief.”
