50 killed after fire at Iraq mall: Video shows massive flame, smoke billowing; rescue ops under way
At least 50 people were killed after a fire broke out at a shopping mall in Iraq, news agency AFP reported. Videos shared across social media platforms showed the five-storey building engulfed in flames overnight, as firefighters battled to bring the blaze under control.The blaze began late Wednesday, reportedly starting on the first floor before rapidly engulfing the building. The cause remains unknown. Ambulances were still transporting casualties to local hospitals into the early hours of Thursday, with wards in Kut—located 160 kilometres southeast of Baghdad—quickly filling up.
An AFP correspondent confirmed the mall had only been open for five days and saw charred bodies at the hospital. Although the fire was later contained, firefighters continued to search for missing persons. Videos on social media showed grieving relatives collapsing in anguish as ambulances arrived. One man was seen weeping, crying out, “Oh my father, oh my heart.”Dozens gathered outside the hospital, anxiously awaiting news. Among them was Dr Nasir al-Quraishi, who said, “A disaster has befallen us.” He lost five family members in the blaze. “We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home. An air conditioner exploded on the second floor and then the fire erupted and we couldn’t escape it.”Governor Miyahi declared three days of mourning and announced legal action against the mall’s owner and contractor. He called for an urgent review of safety standards across the country.
