Over 60 killed in Iraq shopping centre fire in Wasit province
Iain Hoey
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Death toll confirmed following Kut shopping centre fire
More than 60 people were killed after a fire broke out at a shopping centre in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut, according to the Interior Ministry.
The fire started late on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, in the Corniche Hypermarket Mall, a five-storey commercial complex that had opened just a week earlier.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry said 61 people died, most from suffocation, and at least 45 people were rescued from the building.
According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency, the fire began on the second floor in an area selling cosmetics and perfume products.
Fourteen of the bodies recovered remain unidentified, the Ministry said.
Lack of fire safety measures alleged by residents and officials
Photographs and footage shared in Iraqi media showed the building fully engulfed in flames, with no evidence of active suppression systems.
Several residents alleged that the shopping centre did not have functioning emergency exits or other fire protection systems in place.
Kut resident Abdul Redha Thahab told AP News: “My friend and neighbour’s family, who lived right next to my house – a family of six, the husband, his wife, their two daughters, and two young children – all perished in the fire.”
Thahab added: “No emergency exits, no fire extinguisher, no care, nothing.”
He said local residents had assisted firefighters at the scene because there were not enough fire trucks to bring the fire under control.
Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi alleged that fire safety measures were not implemented during the building’s conversion into a shopping centre.
Legal proceedings underway as Iraq mourns
Three days of mourning were declared by Governor al-Miyahi and later endorsed by Iraq’s Cabinet.
The governor confirmed that legal action had been initiated against both the building owner and the shopping centre owner, although the specific charges have not yet been disclosed.
Al-Miyahi said: “We assure the families of the innocent victims that we will not be lenient with those who were directly or indirectly responsible for this incident.”
He added: “The results of the preliminary investigation will be released within 48 hours.”
According to the Associated Press, no government official has resigned or been dismissed at this stage.
The building owner has not commented publicly.
Iraqi Prime Minister visits site and orders investigation
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani visited the site of the fire in Kut on 17 July 2025.
Although he did not make a public statement at the scene, the Prime Minister issued a directive for the Interior Minister to investigate the fire and recommend measures to reduce the risk of future incidents.
The Iraqi News Agency reported that al-Sudani later visited the home of one of the victims to offer condolences to the family.
Previous fires linked to poor building safety in Iraq
Poor enforcement of building safety standards has contributed to several fatal fires in Iraq in recent years.
In July 2021, a fire at a hospital in Nasiriyah killed between 60 and 92 people. Investigators said it was caused by highly flammable, low-cost cladding that is banned under Iraqi law.
In 2023, over 100 people died in a wedding hall fire in Nineveh province after ceiling panels above a pyrotechnic machine ignited.
Residents of Kut have expressed frustration at the lack of oversight.
During the funeral of a relative who died in the shopping centre fire, Najaf resident Imad al-Quraishi said: “If the authorities in the area have any honour, they will submit their resignation today.”
Over 60 killed in Iraq shopping centre fire in Wasit province: Summary
A fire broke out on 16 July 2025 at the Corniche Hypermarket Mall in Kut, eastern Iraq.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry reported that 61 people were killed and more than 45 were rescued.
The fire started on the second floor in a section selling perfume and cosmetics.
Fourteen victims remain unidentified.
The shopping centre had opened just one week before the incident.
The state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that safety failures were suspected.
Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi said legal action had been initiated against the building and mall owners.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani visited the site and directed an investigation.
Three days of mourning were declared by provincial and national authorities.
Survivors and residents alleged that the building lacked emergency exits and firefighting equipment.
Previous major fires in Iraq have also been linked to building safety failures.
The cause of the Kut fire is still under investigation.
The results of the preliminary investigation are expected within 48 hours.