More Than 60 Dead in Iraq Shopping Mall After an Air Conditioner Exploded

At Least 61 Dead in Iraq Mall Fire, Survivors Blame AC Explosion

Deadly Fire Breaks Out in Iraq Shopping Mall

A massive fire tore through a shopping mall in Iraq, killing at least 61 people. The blaze started late Wednesday night at the Corniche Hypermarket Mall in Kut, just five days after its grand opening.

Officials say the fire began on the first floor and quickly spread through the six-storey building. A survivor said the flames broke out after an air conditioning unit exploded.

Men, women, and children were shopping when the fire broke out. Some people tried to escape by climbing to the roof. Videos on social media show the building engulfed in flames and thick smoke.

Rescue Efforts Continue Overnight

Emergency teams rescued more than 45 people. Ambulances were seen rushing victims to the hospital until 4 a.m. this morning. Doctors say many bodies are still unidentified. Among the dead are at least 14 people who were burned beyond recognition.

One man, Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi, said he lost five family members. “We went to the mall to have dinner and escape the power cuts. Then an AC unit exploded and the fire spread. We couldn’t get out,” he told AFP.

Photos taken after the fire show the mall completely blackened and destroyed. Firefighters are still searching for survivors or more victims in the wreckage.

Most Victims Died from Suffocation

The Iraqi Interior Ministry confirmed that most of the victims died from suffocation in bathrooms. They promised a full investigation.

Governor Miyahi declared three days of mourning. He said the mall’s owner and the contractor will face legal action. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also ordered a full probe into what went wrong.

Safety rules are often ignored in Iraq. Deadly fires are common, especially during the hot summer months when temperatures can reach 50°C (122°F).

This is not the first such tragedy. In 2023, over 100 people died in a fire at a wedding hall. In 2021, a hospital fire in southern Iraq killed more than 60.

Relatives of the victims gathered outside hospitals overnight, crying and calling out for their loved ones. Videos showed people collapsing in grief.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani offered his condolences and prayers for the victims’ families.

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