KUT, IRAQ – July 17 — What was meant to be an ordinary evening of family outings and laughter turned into a heartbreaking nightmare for dozens of families in the Iraqi city of Kut. A devastating fire tore through the newly opened Hyper Mall, claiming the lives of at least 60 people and leaving countless others injured or desperately searching for missing loved ones.
The fire erupted late last night, reportedly beginning on the first floor and spreading rapidly through the five-storey building that housed a restaurant, supermarket, and other businesses. Survivors recall the moment with horror — some say an air conditioner exploded, triggering chaos that quickly spiraled out of control.
“I lost five members of my family,” said Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi, his voice trembling. “We only came to the mall for dinner to escape the power cuts. In seconds, everything was on fire. We couldn’t escape.”
The air was filled with smoke, screams, and desperation.
Inside the mall, many sought refuge in bathrooms — a decision that proved fatal for most. According to Iraq’s interior ministry, most of the 61 confirmed dead suffocated while hiding, with 14 bodies so badly burned they remain unidentifiable. Over 45 people were rescued by civil defence teams, but many more are still unaccounted for.
Outside the city’s overwhelmed hospitals, grief poured onto the streets. Videos shared online show anguished families clinging to hope, some breaking down, crying out the names of loved ones. One man was seen slumped on the pavement, beating his chest and wailing, “Oh my father, oh my heart.”
Kut’s governor, Mohammed al-Miyahi, has declared three days of mourning and vowed accountability. Legal action will be taken against the mall’s owners and contractors. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered a full investigation, promising that all safety lapses will be exposed and corrected.
But for many Iraqis, this is yet another painful chapter in a long story of neglect. Fires, often caused by faulty wiring or poor construction, are tragically common. The country’s infrastructure, strained by years of conflict and mismanagement, remains vulnerable—especially during summer months, when soaring temperatures exceed 50°C (122°F).
Just last year, over 100 lives were lost in a wedding hall fire. In 2021, a fire in a COVID-19 ward claimed more than 60 lives.
Iraq’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, has extended his condolences to the grieving families. But the pain remains fresh, the questions many, and the answers too few.
Last night, dozens of families entered a mall seeking joy. Today, they mourn a loss that words can scarcely capture.
