At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least 50 people have been killed and dozens remain missing after a fire broke out early Thursday morning at a shopping mall in Iraq's eastern Wasit province, according to Iraqi state media.
The state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that the blaze swept through the Hypermarket Mall in al-Kut, the provincial capital of Wasit, leaving 'at least fifty people dead' and '30 others still missing.
'Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident,' INA stated.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Wasit Governor Muhammad Jamil al-Miahi declared 'three days of mourning for the souls lost in the tragic fire at the ill-fated Hypermarket Mall in al-Kut.' He added that lawsuits have been filed against the mall and building owners, as well as 'everyone involved.'
'We assure the innocent victims that we will not tolerate those who were a direct or indirect cause of this incident,' al-Miahi added, promising preliminary results from the investigation within 48 hours.
Fires are a recurring threat in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, where enforcement of fire and safety regulations is often inadequate. The risk increases significantly during the summer months, when extreme heat exacerbates the potential for electrical faults and other fire hazards.
Contributing factors include aging infrastructure, overcrowded public spaces, poor electrical systems, and a widespread lack of basic fire safety measures.
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