A catastrophic fire at a five-story hypermarket in Kut, Wasit Province, resulted in 61 deaths and prompted high-level government response, with investigations launched to determine responsibility and prevent future tragedies.
Fire Breaks Out at Newly Opened Commercial Complex
A devastating fire engulfed the Corniche hypermarket in Kut, the center of Wasit Province, Iraq, claiming the lives of 61 people and injuring more than 40 others. The five-story commercial building, which had been open for only seven days, housed both a hypermarket and restaurant facilities. The fire originated on the fifth floor, which served as a dining area where numerous families were present at the time of the incident.
Mohammed Jamil Mayahi, the Governor of Wasit Province, described the incident as a “catastrophe” and expressed condolences to the residents of the province. He confirmed that a significant number of men, women, and children lost their lives in the blaze. The flames quickly spread throughout all floors of the building, trapping many people inside the commercial complex.
Civil defense teams successfully extinguished the fire after intense efforts to control the rapidly spreading flames. The governor announced that local authorities had filed legal complaints against the building owner and the establishment, indicating potential negligence in safety measures. A three-day mourning period was declared throughout Wasit Province in honor of the victims.
Government Response and Investigation Launch
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior confirmed that the majority of victims died from suffocation due to dense smoke rather than burns, with 14 bodies remaining unidentified due to severe burning. More than 45 people were successfully rescued from inside the building during the emergency response operations. The incident prompted immediate high-level government intervention and comprehensive investigation measures.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered the immediate formation of an investigation committee to examine the incident and identify negligent parties. He directed that necessary measures be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The Prime Minister also commanded the Interior Minister to visit the scene personally and ensure that medical teams were prepared to treat the injured victims.
President Latif Rashid expressed sympathy for the families of the victims and emphasized the importance of holding negligent parties accountable. The presidential statement highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in commercial establishments to prevent such catastrophic incidents.
Political and Religious Leaders’ Condolences
The tragedy prompted widespread condolences from Iraq’s political and religious leadership. The office of Ali al-Sistani, the supreme Shia religious authority, issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victims’ families. The religious leader’s intervention underscored the national significance of the tragedy and the need for comprehensive safety reforms.
Moqtada al-Sadr, leader of the National Shia Movement, commented on the incident, stating that “the Kut catastrophe revealed the corruption of those responsible.” His statement highlighted systemic issues in safety oversight and regulatory enforcement that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Mohsen al-Mandalawi, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, called for the formation of a field committee to investigate the Kut catastrophe. He emphasized the critical importance of reviewing safety measures in all public and commercial spaces throughout Iraq. His intervention reflected parliamentary concern about widespread safety deficiencies in commercial establishments.
Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Wisdom Movement, similarly expressed condolences to the victims’ families. The broad political response demonstrated national unity in mourning the victims and demanding accountability for the tragedy.
The Interior Ministry established a high-level investigation committee headed by the Minister’s technical advisor, including the Director of Criminal Evidence, senior investigators, and technical experts. The committee’s mandate focuses on “reaching the real causes of the fire and identifying deficiencies and responsibilities with precision and transparency.”
The Ministry emphasized that no oversight would be tolerated regarding parties whose negligence contributed to the incident. Officials promised that investigation results would be published transparently for public review once completed, ensuring accountability and preventing future tragedies through comprehensive safety reforms.
