According to the country’s internal ministry, a large-scale fire in the five-storey commercial complex in Kut City, Eastern Iraq of Eastern Iraq has killed at least 61 people and many others are missing, Al Jazeera said.
A fire broke out in a building late Wednesday night, which opened a week earlier. It placed a hypermarket, a restaurant and other shops.
According to a statement issued by the Interior Ministry on Thursday, civil defense teams recovered 14 charge bodies and rescued at least 45 people.
A local health officer quoted the Reuters as saying, “We have prepared a list of 59 victims whose identity has been confirmed, but a body was so badly burnt that it has become extremely difficult to identify.”
Wasit Province Governor Mohammad al-Maihi confirmed that the fire began inside both hypermarkets and a nearby restaurant. He said that many families were complex, inside food and shopping, when the flames spread quickly.
Al-bearee said, “A tragedy and a disaster have impressed us.”
The video shared on social media was shown as flames, surrounding the long building as the emergency teams worked to control the blast and reach out to those who were trapped inside.
Citing the Iraqi news agency (INA), Al Jazira said that cases have been filed against the owner of the building and the mall.
The Governor has ordered a thorough investigation and promised that the findings will be made public within 48 hours.
Following the incident, local authorities have announced mourning for three days in Vasit province.
The cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed. (AI)