Iraq Shopping Centre Fire Kills 61, Many Missing

A fire at a shopping centre in Kut, Iraq, has killed at least 61 people, with many still missing. The blaze broke out on Wednesday night at the five-storey Corniche Hypermarket, which opened just a week ago. Videos showed firefighters rescuing people from the roof, and many were taken to hospital. The cause of the fire is not yet known, but the regional governor has promised legal action against the shopping centre's owner and declared three days of mourning. The Iraqi Prime Minister has also ordered an investigation into the fire. Safety standards are often poorly observed in Iraq, and the country has experienced several deadly fires in recent years.

A fire at a shopping mall in eastern Iraq's Wasit province killed at least 61 people, including women and children, with most deaths due to suffocation. The blaze broke out at a newly opened mall in the city of al-Kut, where civil defense teams rescued over 45 people trapped inside. The mall was located in a five-story building with a restaurant and supermarket, and an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, with legal cases filed against the building and mall owners. The Iraqi Prime Minister has directed an investigation and measures to prevent similar incidents, amid concerns over poor building standards in Iraq.

A fire at a shopping centre in Kut, eastern Iraq, has killed 61 people, with others still missing. The five-storey mall had only opened a week ago. Most victims died from smoke inhalation, and 14 burned bodies remain unidentified. The provincial governor has declared three days of mourning and legal cases have been opened against the centre's owners. The cause of the fire is unclear, but Iraq has a history of deadly fires due to poor building standards.