Latest news with #AliKadhim
eNCA
3 days ago
- eNCA
Iraq shopping mall fire kills more than 60
BAGHDAD - A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing at least 61 people, 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 (100 miles) 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. AFP | AHMAD AL-RUBAYE 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". AFP | Christy-Belle GEHA 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. AFP | AHMAD AL-RUBAYE "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 (122 degrees Fahrenheit). 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".
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
Iraq shopping mall fire kills more than 60
A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing at least 61 people, authorities have said, as grief-stricken families searched for missing relatives. Officials said many people suffocated in bathrooms, while one person said his five relatives died in an elevator. The blaze - the latest in a country where safety regulations are frequently neglected - broke out late last night, reportedly starting on the first floor before rapidly engulfing the five-storey Corniche Hypermarket Mall. The cause was not immediately known, but one survivor said an air conditioner had exploded. Several people said 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 160km 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 said 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 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." 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 50C. 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".
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- General
- Vancouver Sun
Fire at newly opened Iraq shopping mall kills more than 60
A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing at least 61 people, authorities said Thursday, as grief-stricken families searched for missing relatives. Officials said many people suffocated in bathrooms, while one person told AFP that 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. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Several people told AFP they lost families including mothers and children who had gone to shop and dine at the mall, days after it opened in Kut — around 160 kilometres (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad. Footage shared on social media showed people including children standing on the roof, calling for help. Ali Kadhim, 51, has been shuttling between the mall and the main hospital, where the victims were taken, looking for his cousin, who is missing 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.' INA news agency later quoted a medical source who put the toll at 63 dead and 40 injured. Wasit province governor Mohammed al-Miyahi told the official INA 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 4:00 am, 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.' 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 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 (122 degrees Fahrenheit). 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 declared three days of mourning in Wasit province and 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. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered a 'thorough probe' into the fire to identify 'shortcomings' and prevent further incidents. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Shiite Islam's highest authority in Iraq, offered condolences to the victims' families. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
Fire at newly opened Iraq shopping mall kills more than 60
Article content A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing at least 61 people, authorities said Thursday, as grief-stricken families searched for missing relatives. Article content Officials said many people suffocated in bathrooms, while one person told AFP that his five relatives died in an elevator. Article content 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. Article content Article content Several people told AFP they lost families including mothers and children who had gone to shop and dine at the mall, days after it opened in Kut — around 160 kilometres (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad. Article content Footage shared on social media showed people including children standing on the roof, calling for help. Article content Article content Ali Kadhim, 51, has been shuttling between the mall and the main hospital, where the victims were taken, looking for his cousin, who is missing with his wife and three children. Article content Back at the mall, he waited anxiously as rescuers searched for victims in the wreckage, with an ambulance on standby. Article content 'We don't know what happened to them,' he said. Article content An AFP correspondent at the scene said the blaze had been contained and the front of the building was severely charred. Article content Article content 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.' Article content 'We couldn't escape' Article content INA news agency later quoted a medical source who put the toll at 63 dead and 40 injured. Article content A medical source in Kut told AFP there were 'many unidentified bodies'. Article content 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.
National Post
3 days ago
- General
- National Post
Fire at newly opened Iraq shopping mall kills more than 60
A fire tore through a newly opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut overnight, killing at least 61 people, authorities said Thursday, as grief-stricken families searched for missing relatives. Article content Officials said many people suffocated in bathrooms, while one person told AFP that his five relatives died in an elevator. Article content 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. Article content Several people told AFP they lost families including mothers and children who had gone to shop and dine at the mall, days after it opened in Kut — around 160 kilometres (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad. Article content Footage shared on social media showed people including children standing on the roof, calling for help. Article content Article content Ali Kadhim, 51, has been shuttling between the mall and the main hospital, where the victims were taken, looking for his cousin, who is missing with his wife and three children. Article content Back at the mall, he waited anxiously as rescuers searched for victims in the wreckage, with an ambulance on standby. Article content 'We don't know what happened to them,' he said. Article content An AFP correspondent at the scene said the blaze had been contained and the front of the building was severely charred. Article content 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.' Article content 'We couldn't escape' Article content INA news agency later quoted a medical source who put the toll at 63 dead and 40 injured. Article content A medical source in Kut told AFP there were 'many unidentified bodies'. Article content 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. Article content Ambulances ferried casualties as late as 4:00 am, with wards in Kut overwhelmed. Article content One man fell apart, pounding his chest and screaming.
