Latest news with #Sako
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq launches probe into Wasit mall fire that killed 63
Also in Iraq Iraq holds nationwide mourning after mall blaze kills 61 At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire Iraqi PM inaugurates Mosul airport on anniversary of city's liberation from ISIS Cardinal Sako urges Iraqi PM to halt 'violations' against Christian sites in Najaf A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi government on Thursday ordered an investigation into a fire at a shopping mall in Wasit province that killed 63 people and promised compensation for victims. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Thursday ordered relevant authorities to 'not show lenience with any negligent party. The measures taken must fit the scale of the incident,' as he announced the start of what he called practical steps in response to the Kornish Hypermarket fire in Kut, the capital city of Wasit. The five-story building, spanning about 350 square meters, went up in flames on Wednesday night. The fire started on the building's second floor, where perfume and cosmetic stores were located, Iraq's civil defense spokesperson Nawas Sabah Shakir told Rudaw. 'Preliminary findings show that the perfumes contributed to the rapid spread of the fire,' he said, noting that most of the victims were on the third, fourth and fifth floors, where they were trapped with no exit route. Most deaths were caused by smoke inhalation. One of the victims was a child and another was a foreign national, Wasit health authorities said. Forty-five people were rescued from the upper floors, according to civil defense teams. Shakir said there were a number of safety violations in the building. The Iraqi Council of Ministers, in an extraordinary meeting, ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the fire and identify those responsible for negligence. The committee has been given five days to complete its report and present recommendations to the cabinet. The government agreed to provide 10 million dinars (around $7,600) in compensation for the family of each victim. The health ministry was also instructed to cover medical treatment for the injured, both inside and outside the country. In a broader legal move, the cabinet approved a draft law to expand compensation for victims of multiple recent disasters. The new draft, which will be submitted to parliament, would cover victims of the Kornish fire in Kut along with other tragedies such as the fire in Nineveh's Hamdaniya district in 2023, when more than 130 people died in a wedding hall. It is intended to replace an earlier version of the law that did not include the Kut victims. Separate investigation committees have also been launched by the civil defense directorate, the Wasit provincial government, and the federal integrity commission. Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi accused the hypermarket owner of bypassing regulations and opening the business illegally just two days before the fire. 'The investor opened the project fraudulently, without obtaining any official permits,' he told reporters in a press conference on Thursday. Wasit Provincial Council on Thursday held a special session and voted to temporarily suspend the directors of Kut municipality and the occupational safety department pending the outcome of investigations. The council also decided to classify those killed in the fire as 'martyrs,' a status that typically allows families access to further compensation and social benefits.
Rudaw Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraq holds nationwide mourning after mall blaze kills 61
Also in Iraq At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire Iraqi PM inaugurates Mosul airport on anniversary of city's liberation from ISIS Cardinal Sako urges Iraqi PM to halt 'violations' against Christian sites in Najaf Senior KDP, PUK figures to meet Iraqi PM amid financial crisis A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The death toll from a devastating fire that tore through a shopping mall in eastern Iraq has risen to 61, according to local authorities, with state media reporting that dozens of people remain missing. The tragic incident has sparked widespread reactions from both Iraqi and Kurdish leaders. "With profound grief and sorrow, we have followed the painful tragedy that resulted from the horrific fire in a commercial center in the city of Kut,' Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said in a post on X, expressing condolences and wishing for a swift recovery of the wounded. The state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported on Thursday that a blaze swept through the Hypermarket Mall in al-Kut, the provincial capital of Wasit, leaving dozens dead and missing. Iraq's supreme Shiite religious authority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, on Thursday extended 'deepest condolences and sincere sympathy' to the families of the victims who are 'grieving the loss of their loved ones,' while also wishing for a swift recovery for the injured. Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid conveyed "great sorrow" over the incident and expressed "profound condolences and sympathy to the victims' families.' Pointing to 'the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents' in Iraq, Rashid urged 'an immediate investigation into the incident, to understand its circumstances, and to hold the negligent accountable." The Iraqi president underlined the importance of addressing broader safety issues, calling on the relevant authorities to "follow up on occupational safety procedures and enforce compliance.' In a post on his official Facebook page, Wasit Governor Muhammad Jamil al-Miahi declared 'three days of mourning for the souls lost' and 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,' Miahi added, promising preliminary results from the investigation within 48 hours. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on the same day dispatched the interior minister to the scene to launch an 'on-the-ground' and 'immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding' the deadly shopping mall fire in Kut. Sudani demanded "a precise technical inquiry to uncover any negligence and to take all necessary and strict measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents." In response, the Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari formed a high-level committee to "identify shortcomings with precision and transparency," pledging that the ministry "will not be lenient" in holding those responsible accountable. In a statement, the interior ministry also stated that the number of fatalities from the devastating blaze had reached 61 victims, who mostly died from suffocation. Fourteen charred bodies were also uncovered, and 45 people were rescued. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also expressed his condolences to the victims of the fire, saying he was 'deeply saddened' by the tragedy, adding that the Region's health ministry and institutions 'are ready to treat the injured and provide any necessary assistance.' Sulaimani Governor Haval Abubakir also offered condolences on behalf of the province, expressing 'sympathy for the tragedy' and wishing a swift recovery for those injured. Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, offered his country's "heartfelt condolences" to the families of the victims. 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.
Rudaw Net
3 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire
Also in Iraq Iraqi PM inaugurates Mosul airport on anniversary of city's liberation from ISIS Cardinal Sako urges Iraqi PM to halt 'violations' against Christian sites in Najaf Senior KDP, PUK figures to meet Iraqi PM amid financial crisis Iraq's three presidencies condemn 'drone attacks' on Kurdistan oil fields A+ A- 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.
Rudaw Net
3 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi PM inaugurates Mosul airport on anniversary of city's liberation from ISIS
Also in Iraq At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire Cardinal Sako urges Iraqi PM to halt 'violations' against Christian sites in Najaf Senior KDP, PUK figures to meet Iraqi PM amid financial crisis Iraq's three presidencies condemn 'drone attacks' on Kurdistan oil fields A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani inaugurated Mosul International Airport on Wednesday, on the anniversary of the city's liberation from the Islamic State (ISIS). In a brief statement on X, Sudani's office confirmed the news, sharing pictures of the inauguration ceremony. Mosul, the capital of Iraq's northern Nineveh province, was captured by ISIS in June 2014 during the group's rapid expansion across Iraq and Syria. The airport was heavily damaged during the occupation, and the city was declared the capital of ISIS' so-called caliphate. Reconstruction of the airport began in August 2022 with a budget of around 200 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately $142.8 million). The reopening was initially set for June 10 to mark the anniversary of the airport's fall to ISIS - a symbolic gesture meant to 'send a message of defiance against terrorism,' said Mohammed Kakayi, head of Nineveh's provincial council security committee, in an interview with Rudaw in early June. He added that the ceremony was postponed due to the prime minister's crowded schedule. Originally established in 1920, the airport spans roughly 1,600 dunams. It marked a key milestone in early June when a plane completed the first test landing in over a decade. Nineveh Governor Abdulqadir al-Dakhil, who was aboard the test flight, called it 'historic' and 'long awaited.' Speaking to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), he confirmed that 'preparations for the inauguration of Mosul International Airport have been completed. 'The airport will officially open soon,' Dakhil then said. During its occupation of Mosul, ISIS imposed a harsh interpretation of Sharia law, carried out widespread human rights violations, and destroyed numerous religious and cultural sites. A major operation to retake the city began in October 2016, led by Iraqi forces with critical support from the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Kurdish Peshmerga forces also played a vital role in the offensive, particularly in securing the eastern and northern flanks, clearing surrounding areas, and cutting off ISIS supply lines. Mosul International Airport was recaptured in February 2017, and the city was officially declared liberated on July 10 of the same year.
Rudaw Net
4 days ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Cardinal Sako urges Iraqi PM to halt ‘violations' against Christian sites in Najaf
Also in Iraq Senior KDP, PUK figures to meet Iraqi PM amid financial crisis Iraq's three presidencies condemn 'drone attacks' on Kurdistan oil fields Kurdistan Region presidency condemns drone strikes on oil fields, urges Baghdad to act Iraq signs oil deal with US firm A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church, on Tuesday called on Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani to intervene and halt what he described as violations against sacred Christian sites in the southern province of Najaf. This follows reports that land belonging to historic Christian cemeteries is being considered for investment projects. In a statement, Sako Cardinal Sako cited a 'reliable source' in Najaf indicating that 'ongoing attempts are underway to convert historic Christian cemeteries into investment sites.' He highlighted two specific cemeteries under threat: the al-Manathira Cemetery, which houses 'prominent patriarchal tombs,' and the "Umm Khashm Cemetery for Christian Manathira,' both located in Najaf. Sako urgently appealed to Sudani to ensure that 'these archaeological sites are protected and fenced,' and that 'no approval is granted for private investment projects that would erase their historical and religious features.' He proposed instead that these Christian heritage sites be preserved and developed into religious and cultural tourism destinations, generating long-term economic benefits for the country. Beyond threats to their heritage, Iraq's Christian community has suffered significant decline over the past two decades. Their population has dwindled from an estimated 1.5 million before the 2003 US-led invasion to roughly 250,000 today. The mass migration of Christians was further accelerated by the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) in 2014, when the extremist group captured large swathes of northern and central Iraq.
