A devastating fire tore through Al-Kornish Hypermarket in Kut, Iraq’s eastern city of Kut, claiming the lives of at least 61 people. The five-story shopping center was only open for seven days before the blaze engulfed it, killing dozens more who were trapped inside.
Rescue efforts led to over 45 survivors being pulled from the burning building, with many being helped through small windows by emergency responders. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, with a high-level committee looking into points of failure and responsibility.
Iraq’s Prime Minister has requested a fully equipped medical team to support rescue efforts, while the interior minister has vowed to hold those found negligent accountable. Three days of mourning have been declared in the Wasit region, where officials are working to determine the cause of the fire.
The incident is the latest in a string of deadly fires in Iraq, often linked to poor safety measures and electrical short circuits. The country has seen similar incidents in recent years, including a 2021 hospital fire that killed over 80 patients and a 2023 wedding hall fire that claimed at least 100 lives.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/17/middleeast/iraq-kut-building-deadly-fire-intl-hnk