Fire at Iraq mall kills 69, prime minister orders probe
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.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but an initial police report suggested that the fire had first erupted on the floor where perfumes and cosmetics are sold.
"Raging fires trapped many people inside the mall, and everyone was desperately trying to find a way out," said Ali Al-Zargani, whose house is next to the market building and who entered the premises after the fire had subsided.
"I saw the charred bodies of children and women lying on the ground — it was a horrifying scene."
While some of the bodies were prepared for burial, with mourners weeping and praying over the coffins, the remains of more than 15 severely burned victims required DNA testing for identification, a Reuters witness said.
As rescuers combed the smoke-charred building for more bodies, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an immediate investigation to "uncover any shortcomings", his office said in a statement.
A statement from his office called for national mourning.
The provincial governor said initial results from an investigation would be announced within 48 hours, the INA state news agency reported.
"We have filed lawsuits against the owner of the building and the mall," INA quoted the governor as saying.
A lack of safety measures in Iraq has led to large death tolls in fires. In 2023, more than 100 people were killed after a fire swept through a crowded wedding hall in a northern town.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
27 minutes ago
- Reuters
Six college students in China drown after falling into mine
BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) - Six university students drowned while on a field visit to a mine owned by Shanghai-listed Zhongjin Gold Corp ( opens new tab in northern China's Inner Mongolia region on Wednesday. The tragedy occurred when the students from Northeastern University in Shenyang fell into a flotation cell at the copper molybdenum mine after the collapse of protective grates, Zhongjin Gold, a subsidiary of state-owned China National Gold Group Co, said in a stock exchange filing on Thursday. A teacher was also hurt. The company activated an emergency plan and reported the incident to the relevant departments of the local government, it added. Shares of Zhongjin Gold were down more than 5% in morning trading in Shanghai following the news. The mine has halted production, 21st Century Business Herald reported on Thursday. Such visits have been organised for years and the incident was unexpected, said a teacher from Northeastern University, according to a social media account of Henan radio and television. The university has sent staff to the site to handle the incident, the teacher said.
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
From the archive: Eight lost in bathing accidents
From The Times: July 24, 1925 Three bathers, two men and a woman, were drowned off the Côte des Basques to-day. One of them, Mrs Albert Williams, wife of an Englishman, having ventured beyond the limits where the bathing is considered safe, was warned by a whistle from M Carcabues, the swimming master, who is entrusted with keeping a watch over the bathers. Unfortunately the warning was not heard, and suddenly Mrs Williams struck violently against a rock and sank. Her daughter went to her assistance, but failed to secure her, and was herself only rescued just in time by M Carcabues, while another bather, Mr James Gennet, an artist, of London, who also endeavoured to give assistance, in his turn disappeared. After bringing Miss Williams to safety, M Carcabues again returned to the rock where Mrs Williams had disappeared, and succeeded in securing her and also Mr Gennet, and in fastening them together with a rope in order to bring them back to land; but the force of the waves beating on the rocks was so great that the cord broke, and the heroic rescuer was himself swept away with the other two persons, all three being drowned. Two of the bodies have been recovered, but that of M Carcabues has not yet been found. ● An Aberystwyth message states that three Boy Scouts, of Winsford (Cheshire) Troop, have been drowned. The troop arrived at Aberdovey to camp on Saturday, and a bathing parade took place on Wednesday afternoon, a bathing picket and three lifebelts being ready. The spot was considered safe. There was a shout for help, and Captain Richard Bell, a local man, put out in a motor-boat to assist. The boys appeared panic-stricken, and nine were taken from the sea in a collapsed state. A roll-call proved that Raymond Stringer (19), William Hough (13), and George Egerton were missing. Despite the patrolling of the shore till midnight by residents and Scouts, no trace of them was found. While bathing in the Thames Leonard Johnson (12), of Wedderburn-road, Barking, was drowned. William Cuthbert (18), an engineer, was drowned while bathing at Withernsea yesterday in the presence of his fiancée. Explore 200 years of history as it appeared in the pages of The Times, from 1785 to 1985:
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Family pay touching tribute to ‘caring' 78-year-old killed after car smashed into her home
A HEARTBROKEN family have paid tribute to a "caring, sharing, and stunning" mum who was killed in a tragic crash. Barbara Howard died in hospital after a Jaguar car ploughed into her property, in Coventry, shortly before 5pm on July 17. 2 2 The Jaguar had been involved in a smash with a Volkswagen van at the junction of Shilton Lane and Lentons Lane. It is understood the vehicle then swerved off the road and hit Barbara's house. The 78-year-old was inside at the time, and rushed to hospital where she died a short time later. In a statement, Barbara's heartbroken family said: "Caring, sharing, glamorous, and stunning, someone who loved life. "Dancing mother of Debbie and Julie, our best friend was taken in the most horrific way. "We love her to the moon and back." A spokesperson for Midlands Police said: "Our investigation into the collision is continuing, and the drivers of both vehicles involved were spoken to at the scene. "We are urging anyone with information or footage to get in touch with us. "We would especially like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam video from around the area at the time, as we look to establish exactly what happened. "If you can help our investigation, please call 101 quoting Log 4184 of 17 July. "You can also email sciu@ is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
