Tragic Hypermarket Fire in Kut Claims 61 Lives in Just-Opened Building

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Tragic Hypermarket Fire in Kut.

A devastating fire tore through a five-storey commercial building in the centre of Wasit Governorate on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least 61 people, according to a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Interior. The structure, which had only been open for a week, housed a hypermarket and a restaurant and was located in the heart of Kut city.

The Ministry confirmed that many of the victims died from suffocation, most tragically while trapped in the building’s bathrooms, unable to escape the thick, toxic smoke. Among the deceased were 14 severely charred, unidentified bodies, in what officials have described as a “painful incident that shook the conscience.” Despite the catastrophic blaze, Civil Defence teams successfully rescued over 45 people in a complex and dangerous operation that drew praise for their heroism and commitment.

In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani instructed the Minister of Interior to travel immediately to Kut to oversee a full investigation. The Prime Minister has also ordered a comprehensive technical review to determine the cause of the fire and identify any negligence or structural failings. He directed authorities to take strict preventative measures to avoid a repeat of such incidents and deployed fully equipped medical teams to assist with the treatment of the injured.

Meanwhile, Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayah declared a three-day mourning period starting Thursday. In a separate statement, the Governor confirmed that lawsuits had already been initiated against both the building’s owner and the mall operator. “The number of victims has reached around 50 between the dead and injured,” he said, calling it one of the most tragic fires to strike the governorate in recent memory.

Authorities noted that the restaurant on the upper floors was particularly crowded with families at the time of the blaze, contributing to the high death toll. Rescue efforts were severely hampered by the intensity of the flames, which made it nearly impossible to reach the fourth and fifth floors.

An initial report into the causes of the fire is expected to be released within 48 hours, with the Governor pledging full transparency. The incident has sparked national grief and renewed calls for stricter enforcement of fire safety standards in public buildings across Iraq.



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