60 dead after fire tears through Iraq shopping center
The blaze at the mall, which had reportedly opened five days ago, broke out on Wednesday night and has since been brought under control.
Social media videos showed firefighters rescuing people from the mall's roof, but state media reported that many are still missing.
"A tragedy and a calamity has befallen us," regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi said, adding that legal action would be brought against the shopping centre's owner.
The governor has also declared three days of mourning.
Videos on INA's news channel show flames ripping through several floors of the Corniche Hypermarket in the city's centre, as firefighters try to douse them.
Other clips circulating on social media appear to show a small number of people on the roof during the fire, as well as the burned out insides of the centre.
A number of people were rescued from the building by firefighters, al-Miyahi told local media.
Ambulances were still taking casualties to hospitals in the city, which is about 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad, at 04:00 local time.
"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," the interior ministry said in a statement quoted by news agency AFP.
Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor in his 50s, told AFP he lost five family members in the blaze.
"A disaster has befallen us," he said. "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 it."
A medical source told the agency: "We have more than 50 martyrs, and many unidentified bodies".
An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, with preliminary findings expected within two days, al-Miyahi said.
"The tragedy is a major shock," he said, adding that a "serious review of all safety measures" would take place.
The shopping had opened just five days ago, AFP reported.
Safety standards are often poorly observed at Iraqi construction sites, which have face decades of mismanagement and corruption.
In 2023, a fire swept through a Christian wedding party in northern Iraq, killing more than 100 people.
More than 90 people died in the Iraqi city of Nasiriya after a fire in a Covid isolation ward at a hospital in 2021. — BBC
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leaders
2 days ago
- Leaders
Gaza Faces Deadliest Day for Aid Seekers as Malnutrition Threatens Children
Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians trying to reach food in Gaza on Sunday, in one of the deadliest days for aid seekers in the war-torn enclave as malnutrition is threatening Palestinian children. Meanwhile, the Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for areas crowded with displaced people and international aid organizations in central Gaza, raising alarm over a new ground operation amid the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Strip. Largest Death Toll On Sunday, at least 85 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire while seeking aid, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Most of the victims, were in northern Gaza, as at least 79 people died while trying to get aid entering through the Zikim crossing with Israel, the head of the Health Ministry's records department, Zaher al-Waheidi, told the Associated Press (AP). Moreover, Israeli troops killed 6 Palestinians in the Shakoush area, near the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) in the southern city of Rafah, according to al-Waheidi. However, the US-backed organization said it was not aware of any incident near its site. Another 7 Palestinians were killed in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, including a 5-year-old boy, according to the Kuwait Specialized Field Hospital. Tragic Incident The UN World Food Program (WFP) said a convoy of 25 trucks carrying vital food aid had entered into the area to help starving communities, but the convoy faced large crowds of civilians desperately waiting for needed food supplies. Hospitals said they received more than 150 casualties, some in critical condition. 'As the convoy approached, the surrounding crowd came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire,' the WFP said in a statement. It voiced deep concern over this 'tragic incident' that resulted in the loss of many lives. 'These people were simply trying to access food to feed themselves and their families on the brink of starvation. This terrible incident underscores the increasingly dangerous conditions under which humanitarian operations are forced to be conducted in Gaza,' the statement added. Israel Blames Hamas The Israeli military put the blame on Hamas, accusing the Palestinian movement's elements of creating chaos. It said Israeli forces opened fire at a gathering of thousands of Palestinians who posed a threat. The Israeli military acknowledged some casualties, but said that numbers reported by officials in Gaza were far higher than the findings of its initial investigation. Malnutrition Risks The WFP warned that the hunger crisis in Gaza has reached 'new levels of desperation' due to lack of humanitarian assistance and the spread of malnutrition among women and children. 'Malnutrition is surging with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment. Nearly one person in three is not eating for days,' it said. As a result, the UN agency called for an immediate ceasefire to scale up food supplies distribution. 'We urgently call on the international community and all parties to advocate for, and facilitate, the delivery of life-saving food aid to starving populations inside Gaza – safely, securely, wherever families are, and without obstruction,' the WFP said. New Evacuation Orders The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for parts of central Gaza, one of the few areas where Israel has rarely operated with ground troops. These areas also host large crowds of displaced people and several international organizations trying to distribute humanitarian assistance. The military also reiterated evacuation orders for northern Gaza. The new evacuation orders direct residents and displaced Palestinians in Deir al-Balah to move south towards al-Mawasi, saying that the Israeli military 'continues to operate with great force to destroy the enemy's capabilities and terrorist infrastructure in the area.' In response, the UN OCHA warned that the new evacuation orders 'dealt yet another devastating blow' to humanitarian efforts in Gaza, as Deir al-Balah hosts between 50,000 and 80,000 people, including some 30,000 people sheltering in 57 displacement sites. 'The newly-designated area includes several humanitarian warehouses, four primary health clinics, four medical points, and critical water infrastructure: the Southern Gaza Desalination Plant, three water wells, one water reservoir, one solid waste dumping site and one wastewater pumping station. Any damage to this infrastructure will have life-threatening consequences,' it said in a statement. Short link : Post Views: 81
Saudi Gazette
6 days ago
- Saudi Gazette
60 dead after fire tears through Iraq shopping center
BAGHDAD — A fire that tore through a shopping centre in the Iraqi city of Kut has left at least 60 dead, officials said. The blaze at the mall, which had reportedly opened five days ago, broke out on Wednesday night and has since been brought under control. Social media videos showed firefighters rescuing people from the mall's roof, but state media reported that many are still missing. "A tragedy and a calamity has befallen us," regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi said, adding that legal action would be brought against the shopping centre's owner. The governor has also declared three days of mourning. Videos on INA's news channel show flames ripping through several floors of the Corniche Hypermarket in the city's centre, as firefighters try to douse them. Other clips circulating on social media appear to show a small number of people on the roof during the fire, as well as the burned out insides of the centre. A number of people were rescued from the building by firefighters, al-Miyahi told local media. Ambulances were still taking casualties to hospitals in the city, which is about 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad, at 04:00 local time. "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," the interior ministry said in a statement quoted by news agency AFP. Nasir al-Quraishi, a doctor in his 50s, told AFP he lost five family members in the blaze. "A disaster has befallen us," he said. "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 it." A medical source told the agency: "We have more than 50 martyrs, and many unidentified bodies". An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, with preliminary findings expected within two days, al-Miyahi said. "The tragedy is a major shock," he said, adding that a "serious review of all safety measures" would take place. The shopping had opened just five days ago, AFP reported. Safety standards are often poorly observed at Iraqi construction sites, which have face decades of mismanagement and corruption. In 2023, a fire swept through a Christian wedding party in northern Iraq, killing more than 100 people. More than 90 people died in the Iraqi city of Nasiriya after a fire in a Covid isolation ward at a hospital in 2021. — BBC
Arab News
16-07-2025
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia showcases work safety initiatives at Osaka Expo 2025
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is showcasing its advancements in occupational safety and health at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, from July 16 to 19. The Kingdom's National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and led by Secretary-General Majed Al-Fawiz, is participating in the Global Initiative for Safety, Health, and Well-being Conference. The delegation at the event includes representatives from the Ministry of Energy and the private sector. This participation is a part of the Kingdom's broader efforts to highlight its advancements in occupational safety, health, and employee well-being under Vision 2030. Saudi Arabia has an exhibition highlighting key programs, including cutting-edge technologies to improve work environments, training initiatives and incident reporting. The council emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to global collaboration, knowledge exchange, and leadership in building safe, healthy, and sustainable workplaces.
