Baghdad, July 17 — The death toll from the massive fire at a hypermarket in Kut, the capital of Iraq’s Wasit province, has climbed to 61, Iraq’s Interior Ministry confirmed on Thursday.
The tragic incident occurred late Wednesday night in a five-story commercial building that housed a restaurant and a hypermarket, which had been operating for just seven days. The Interior Ministry stated that most victims died from suffocation due to thick smoke, with 14 charred bodies yet to be identified.
Civil defence teams managed to rescue over 45 people trapped inside the building, and the blaze was eventually brought under control. Emergency personnel worked through the night, and social media footage showed the building completely engulfed in flames.
In response, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani ordered Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari to personally visit the scene and oversee an immediate investigation. Al-Sudani has also dispatched a medical team to assist in treating the injured, according to a statement from his media office.
Wasit Governor Mohammed Jameel al-Maihy declared three days of mourning for the victims and vowed to hold all those responsible accountable. “We mourn the loss of our sons and daughters. This is a devastating tragedy for Kut and all of Wasit,” he told the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The governor confirmed that legal action has been initiated against the mall and building owners, along with others involved. He pledged to release preliminary investigation findings within 48 hours.
The Wasit Police Command announced full mobilisation of civil defence forces to respond to the crisis, with Governor Al-Maihy personally overseeing the rescue efforts.
Authorities are continuing their investigation as the nation grieves this immense loss.
