GRENFELL TOO
Reuters | AFP
Published July 17, 2025
A close up shot shows on July 17, 2025 the damaged facade after a fire tore through the newly opened Hyper Mall overnight in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut, killing at least 60 people, according to Iraqi authorities. — AFP
A fire truck stands next to the wreckage of a five-storey shopping center, after a massive overnight fire killed dozens of people, in al-Kut, Wasit province, Iraq on July 17, 2025. — Reuters
A massive fire in a hypermarket in al-Kut city in eastern Iraq has left at least 69 people dead and 11 others missing, the city’s health authorities and two police sources told Reuters on Thursday.
Reuters’ footage of the aftermath of the overnight fire showed the blackened exterior of “Corniche Hypermarket” building, with rescue teams and security forces still at the site.
Videos verified by Reuters showed firefighters spraying water on the blazing building overnight and people climbing from the roof with the help of rescue teams.
“We have more bodies that have not been recovered still under fire debris,” city official Ali al-Mayahi told Reuters.
Officials said many people suffocated in bathrooms, while one person told AFP that his five relatives died in an elevator.
Several people told AFP they lost family members, including mothers and children who had gone to shop and dine at the mall.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the province’s governor said initial results from an investigation would be announced within 48 hours, the INA state news agency reported. One survivor told AFP an air conditioner had exploded.
“We have filed lawsuits against the owner of the building and the mall,” INA quoted the governor as saying.
He told the news agency the victims included men, women and children.
A medical source in Kut told AFP there were “many unidentified bodies”.
An AFP correspondent reported seeing charred bodies at the province’s forensic department.
Civil defence teams rescued more than 45 people who were trapped inside the building, which includes a restaurant and a supermarket, the interior ministry said.
Ambulances ferried casualties as late as 4am, with wards in Kut overwhelmed.
An AFP correspondent reported seeing distraught relatives waiting at the forensic department for news, some collapsing in grief.
One man fell apart, pounding his chest and screaming.
Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor in his 50s, said he lost five family members in the fire.
“A disaster has befallen us,” he told AFP.
“We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home.
“An air conditioner exploded on the second floor and then the fire erupted — and we couldn’t escape.”
Lax safety regulations
Moataz Karim, 45, hurried to the mall at midnight, only to be met with the devastating news that three of his relatives were missing.
Hours later, he identified two relatives despite their charred bodies, one of whom had only begun working at the shopping centre three days ago.
“There is no fire extinguishing system,” he said in anger, as he waited for further news outside the forensic department.
Safety standards in Iraq’s construction sector are often disregarded, and the country, whose infrastructure is in disrepair after decades of conflict, is often the scene of fatal fires and accidents.
Fires increase during the blistering summer as temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius.
In September 2023, a fire killed at least 100 people when it ripped through a crowded Iraqi wedding hall, sparking a panicked stampede for the exits.
In July 2021, a fire in the Covid-19 unit of a hospital in southern Iraq killed more than 60 people.
The governor declared three days of mourning in Wasit province.
“The tragedy is a major shock … and requires a serious review of all safety measures,” he said.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered a “thorough probe” into the fire to identify “shortcomings” and prevent further incidents.
Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Shia Islam’s highest authority in Iraq, offered condolences to the victims’ families.
A close up shot shows on July 17, 2025 the damaged facade after a fire tore through the newly opened Hyper Mall overnight in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut, killing at least 60 people, according to Iraqi authorities. — AFP
A fire truck stands next to the wreckage of a five-storey shopping center, after a massive overnight fire killed dozens of people, in al-Kut, Wasit province, Iraq on July 17, 2025. — Reuters
A massive fire in a hypermarket in al-Kut city in eastern Iraq has left at least 69 people dead and 11 others missing, the city’s health authorities and two police sources told Reuters on Thursday.
Reuters’ footage of the aftermath of the overnight fire showed the blackened exterior of “Corniche Hypermarket” building, with rescue teams and security forces still at the site.
Videos verified by Reuters showed firefighters spraying water on the blazing building overnight and people climbing from the roof with the help of rescue teams.
“We have more bodies that have not been recovered still under fire debris,” city official Ali al-Mayahi told Reuters.
Officials said many people suffocated in bathrooms, while one person told AFP that his five relatives died in an elevator.
Several people told AFP they lost family members, including mothers and children who had gone to shop and dine at the mall.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the province’s governor said initial results from an investigation would be announced within 48 hours, the INA state news agency reported. One survivor told AFP an air conditioner had exploded.
“We have filed lawsuits against the owner of the building and the mall,” INA quoted the governor as saying.
He told the news agency the victims included men, women and children.
A medical source in Kut told AFP there were “many unidentified bodies”.
An AFP correspondent reported seeing charred bodies at the province’s forensic department.
Civil defence teams rescued more than 45 people who were trapped inside the building, which includes a restaurant and a supermarket, the interior ministry said.
Ambulances ferried casualties as late as 4am, with wards in Kut overwhelmed.
An AFP correspondent reported seeing distraught relatives waiting at the forensic department for news, some collapsing in grief.
One man fell apart, pounding his chest and screaming.
Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor in his 50s, said he lost five family members in the fire.
“A disaster has befallen us,” he told AFP.
“We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home.
“An air conditioner exploded on the second floor and then the fire erupted — and we couldn’t escape.”
Lax safety regulations
Moataz Karim, 45, hurried to the mall at midnight, only to be met with the devastating news that three of his relatives were missing.
Hours later, he identified two relatives despite their charred bodies, one of whom had only begun working at the shopping centre three days ago.
“There is no fire extinguishing system,” he said in anger, as he waited for further news outside the forensic department.
Safety standards in Iraq’s construction sector are often disregarded, and the country, whose infrastructure is in disrepair after decades of conflict, is often the scene of fatal fires and accidents.
Fires increase during the blistering summer as temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius.
In September 2023, a fire killed at least 100 people when it ripped through a crowded Iraqi wedding hall, sparking a panicked stampede for the exits.
In July 2021, a fire in the Covid-19 unit of a hospital in southern Iraq killed more than 60 people.
The governor declared three days of mourning in Wasit province.
“The tragedy is a major shock … and requires a serious review of all safety measures,” he said.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered a “thorough probe” into the fire to identify “shortcomings” and prevent further incidents.
Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Shia Islam’s highest authority in Iraq, offered condolences to the victims’ families.
More than 60 people killed as fire breaks out in newly opened Iraq mall
More than 60 people were killed when a fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in Kut, eastern Iraq, late Wednesday night, in one of the country's deadliest recent tragedies. Authorities have launched an investigation as anger grows over lax safety standards and inadequate fire prevention systems.
Issued on: 17/07/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
'We couldn't escape'
The official INA news agency later quoted a medical source who put the toll at 63 dead and 40 injured.
Wasit provincial governor Mohammed al-Miyahi told INA the victims included men, women and children.
A medical source in Kut told AFP there were "many unidentified bodies".
Civil defence teams rescued more than 45 people who were trapped inside the building, which includes a restaurant and a supermarket, the interior ministry said.
The ward of the main hospital was overwhelmed, while elsewhere, an AFP correspondent witnessed distraught relatives waiting at the forensic department for news, some collapsing in grief.
One man fell apart, pounding his chest and screaming.
Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor in his 50s, said he lost five family members in the fire.
"A disaster has befallen us," he told AFP. "We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home.
"An air conditioner exploded on the second floor and then the fire erupted – and we couldn't escape."
Lax safety regulations
Moataz Karim, 45, rushed to the mall at midnight, only to be met with the devastating news that three of his relatives were missing.
Hours later, he identified the charred bodies of two relatives, one of whom had begun working at the shopping centre three days ago.
"There is no fire extinguishing system," he said angrily, as he waited for further news outside the forensic department.
Safety standards in Iraq's construction sector are often disregarded, and the country, whose infrastructure is in disrepair after decades of conflict, often experiences fatal fires and accidents.
Fires increase during the blistering summer as temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius.
In September 2023, a fire killed at least 100 people when it ripped through a crowded Iraqi wedding hall, sparking a panicked stampede for the exits.
In July 2021, a fire in the Covid unit of a hospital in southern Iraq killed more than 60 people.
Governor Miyahi said local authorities would file a lawsuit against the mall's owner and the building contractor.
"The tragedy is a major shock ... and requires a serious review of all safety measures," he said.
The government declared three days of mourning.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered a "thorough probe" into the fire to identify "shortcomings" and prevent further incidents.
Several countries, including Egypt, Iran and France, offered condolences to Iraq and the victims' families.
The US embassy in Baghdad likewise offered "its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
More than 60 people were killed when a fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in Kut, eastern Iraq, late Wednesday night, in one of the country's deadliest recent tragedies. Authorities have launched an investigation as anger grows over lax safety standards and inadequate fire prevention systems.
Issued on: 17/07/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Firefighters gather in front of a burning hypermarket building in Kut, Iraq, Thursday, July 17, 2025. © Hadi Mizban, AP
A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing more than 60 people and leaving 11 others missing, authorities said Thursday as grief-stricken families searched for missing relatives.
Officials said many people suffocated in bathrooms, while one person told AFP his five relatives died in an elevator.
The blaze – the latest in a country where safety regulations are frequently neglected – broke out late Wednesday, reportedly starting on the first floor before rapidly engulfing the five-storey Corniche Hypermarket Mall.
The cause was not immediately known, but one survivor told AFP an air conditioner had exploded.
Several people told AFP they lost family members – and in some cases whole families – who had gone to shop and dine at the mall days after it opened in Kut, around 160 kilometres southeast of Baghdad.
Footage shared on social media showed people including children standing on the roof, calling for help.
Ali Kadhim, 51, said he had been shuttling between the mall and the main hospital, where the victims were taken, looking for his cousin, who is missing along with his wife and three children.
Back at the mall, he waited anxiously as rescuers searched for victims in the wreckage, with an ambulance on standby.
"We don't know what happened to them," he said.
An AFP correspondent at the scene said the blaze had been contained and the front of the building was severely charred.
The interior ministry said in a statement that "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".
A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing more than 60 people and leaving 11 others missing, authorities said Thursday as grief-stricken families searched for missing relatives.
Officials said many people suffocated in bathrooms, while one person told AFP his five relatives died in an elevator.
The blaze – the latest in a country where safety regulations are frequently neglected – broke out late Wednesday, reportedly starting on the first floor before rapidly engulfing the five-storey Corniche Hypermarket Mall.
The cause was not immediately known, but one survivor told AFP an air conditioner had exploded.
Several people told AFP they lost family members – and in some cases whole families – who had gone to shop and dine at the mall days after it opened in Kut, around 160 kilometres southeast of Baghdad.
Footage shared on social media showed people including children standing on the roof, calling for help.
An AFP correspondent reported seeing charred bodies at the province's forensic department.
Ali Kadhim, 51, said he had been shuttling between the mall and the main hospital, where the victims were taken, looking for his cousin, who is missing along with his wife and three children.
Back at the mall, he waited anxiously as rescuers searched for victims in the wreckage, with an ambulance on standby.
"We don't know what happened to them," he said.
An AFP correspondent at the scene said the blaze had been contained and the front of the building was severely charred.
The interior ministry said in a statement that "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".
'We couldn't escape'
The official INA news agency later quoted a medical source who put the toll at 63 dead and 40 injured.
Wasit provincial governor Mohammed al-Miyahi told INA the victims included men, women and children.
A medical source in Kut told AFP there were "many unidentified bodies".
Civil defence teams rescued more than 45 people who were trapped inside the building, which includes a restaurant and a supermarket, the interior ministry said.
A cleaning operation starts outside the charred building on July 17, 2025, after a fire tore through the newly opened Hyper Mall overnight in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut. © Ahmad Al-Rubaye, AFP
The ward of the main hospital was overwhelmed, while elsewhere, an AFP correspondent witnessed distraught relatives waiting at the forensic department for news, some collapsing in grief.
One man fell apart, pounding his chest and screaming.
Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor in his 50s, said he lost five family members in the fire.
"A disaster has befallen us," he told AFP. "We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home.
"An air conditioner exploded on the second floor and then the fire erupted – and we couldn't escape."
Lax safety regulations
Moataz Karim, 45, rushed to the mall at midnight, only to be met with the devastating news that three of his relatives were missing.
Hours later, he identified the charred bodies of two relatives, one of whom had begun working at the shopping centre three days ago.
"There is no fire extinguishing system," he said angrily, as he waited for further news outside the forensic department.
Safety standards in Iraq's construction sector are often disregarded, and the country, whose infrastructure is in disrepair after decades of conflict, often experiences fatal fires and accidents.
Fires increase during the blistering summer as temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius.
In September 2023, a fire killed at least 100 people when it ripped through a crowded Iraqi wedding hall, sparking a panicked stampede for the exits.
In July 2021, a fire in the Covid unit of a hospital in southern Iraq killed more than 60 people.
Governor Miyahi said local authorities would file a lawsuit against the mall's owner and the building contractor.
"The tragedy is a major shock ... and requires a serious review of all safety measures," he said.
The government declared three days of mourning.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered a "thorough probe" into the fire to identify "shortcomings" and prevent further incidents.
Several countries, including Egypt, Iran and France, offered condolences to Iraq and the victims' families.
The US embassy in Baghdad likewise offered "its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
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