BAGHDAD: A massive fire at a hypermarket in al-Kut, a city in southern Iraq, has claimed at least 69 lives, with 11 others still missing, according to local health authorities and police sources. The devastating blaze broke out overnight at the Corniche Hypermarket, trapping dozens of people inside and leaving behind scenes of horror and destruction.
Footage obtained by Reuters showed the charred exterior of the multi-storey building as rescue workers and security forces continued search efforts. Verified videos captured firefighters battling the flames into the night, while rescue teams helped people escape by climbing from the rooftop.
“We have more bodies that have not yet been recovered — still under the fire debris,” said Ali al-Mayahi, a senior city official.
An initial police assessment suggested the fire may have started in the section where perfumes and cosmetics were sold, though the exact cause remains under investigation.
Eyewitness accounts painted a grim picture of panic and devastation. “Raging fires trapped many people inside the mall, and everyone was desperately trying to find a way out,” said Ali Al-Zargani, a resident whose home is next to the complex. “I saw the charred bodies of children and women lying on the ground — it was a horrifying scene.”
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Rescue teams said some victims had been prepared for burial, while at least 15 bodies were so severely burned that DNA testing would be required for identification, according to a Reuters witness.
In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate investigation into the incident to “uncover any shortcomings,” and declared a period of national mourning, a statement from his office said.
The provincial governor told state-run INA news agency that lawsuits had been filed against the owner of the building and the mall, and preliminary findings would be shared within 48 hours.
Iraq has witnessed multiple deadly fires in recent years, often blamed on outdated infrastructure, lack of safety standards, and poor enforcement of regulations. In 2023, more than 100 people died in a blaze that swept through a wedding hall in the country’s north.
