VIDEO: At least 61 dead in massive mall fire in Iraq’s Kut

A devastating fire tore through a shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, leaving at least 61 people dead and dozens injured, officials said Thursday. The tragedy has sparked outrage over lax safety standards as grief-stricken families search for missing loved ones.

The blaze broke out late Wednesday at the Corniche Hypermarket Mall, just days after its grand opening, quickly engulfing the five-storey building. Officials said many victims suffocated in bathrooms, while others were trapped in elevators. "The tragic fire claimed the lives of 61 innocent citizens, most of whom suffocated in bathrooms, and among them 14 charred bodies yet to be identified," Iraq’s interior ministry said in a statement.

The death toll was later revised to 63, with 40 injured, according to a medical source cited by INA news agency.

- Families mourn loved ones -

Witnesses described a scene of chaos as the fire spread rapidly. "An air conditioner exploded on the second floor and then the fire erupted — and we couldn't escape," said Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor who lost five family members, Agence France Presse (AFP) reported.

Moataz Karim, 45, said he raced to the mall at midnight, only to discover his relatives were among the victims. Hours later, he identified two charred bodies. "There is no fire extinguishing system," he said angrily.

Ali Kadhim, 51, spent hours shuttling between the burned mall and the local hospital, desperately searching for his cousin, who was missing with his wife and three children. "We don't know what happened to them," he said, waiting near ambulances parked by the rubble.

Footage shared online showed panicked shoppers, including children, stranded on the roof, crying for help. Civil defense teams managed to rescue more than 45 people trapped inside.

- Outrage over safety failures -

The disaster has reignited concerns over Iraq’s poor safety standards, which have contributed to a series of deadly incidents in recent years.

"The tragedy is a major shock... and requires a serious review of all safety measures," Wasit province governor Mohammed al-Miyahi said, announcing three days of mourning and legal action against the mall’s owner and the building contractor.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered a full investigation to determine "shortcomings" and prevent similar incidents.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Iraq’s highest Shiite religious authority, extended condolences to the victims’ families.

Iraq has seen multiple deadly fires in recent years, often blamed on poorly enforced regulations. In September 2023, a fire at a wedding hall killed more than 100 people, while in 2021, a hospital blaze claimed over 60 lives.