Iraq Mall Fire: Over 60 People Dead in Newly Opened Complex

July 17, 2025: A massive fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in eastern Iraq Wasit province late Wednesday, killing at least 61 people, including women and children, and injuring dozens more. Iraqi authorities confirmed that most of the victims died from suffocation, and 14 charred bodies remain unidentified.

The blaze erupted inside the five-story mall, which had opened only a week earlier in the city of Kut, about 160 km southeast of Baghdad. The complex also housed a supermarket and a restaurant, making it a popular new destination for local families.

In a statement, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior said that more than 45 individuals were rescued by civil defence teams, who battled through thick smoke and flames to reach those trapped inside.

Provincial Governor Mohammed al-Mayyeh declared three days of mourning and vowed accountability. “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 said.

Legal action has reportedly been initiated against the building and mall owners, although specific charges have not yet been detailed.

Investigation Underway

Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate investigation and dispatched the interior minister to the scene. Officials say preliminary findings from the probe will be made public within 48 hours.

“The safety of Iraqi citizens is paramount. We must understand how such a tragedy occurred in a brand-new building and ensure it never happens again,” the prime minister said in a statement.

Pattern of Safety Failures

This is not the first time Iraq has witnessed such a devastating fire. Poor construction standards and use of flammable building materials have contributed to multiple fatal incidents in recent years. In 2021, a fire at a hospital in Nasiriyah claimed over 60 lives, and in 2023, over 100 guests died in a wedding hall blaze in Nineveh province.

In both cases, substandard materials and lack of fire safety protocols were blamed.

Eyewitness Accounts & Ongoing Search

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic. Social media videos showed the mall fully engulfed in flames, with desperate onlookers trying to assist emergency responders. The state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that several people remain missing, adding to the urgency of search operations.

National Mourning and Call for Reform

Flags are flying at half-mast in Wasit, and vigils have begun in Kut for the victims. Meanwhile, public outcry grows over Iraq’s building safety standards, with citizens demanding stricter enforcement and penalties for negligence.

As the investigation continues and families mourn, the tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive fire safety reform in Iraq’s growing urban centers.