Iraq: Death Toll of Kut Fire Rises to 61.. Civil Defense Rescues Dozens

The Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced on Thursday, July 17, that the death toll from the fire that broke out at a commercial center in the city of Kut in eastern Iraq has risen to 61, most of whom died from suffocation due to heavy smoke, including 14 charred bodies that are unidentified.

Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari stated in a statement carried by the Iraqi news agency "WAA" that the Civil Defense teams succeeded in rescuing more than 45 people who were trapped inside the building. He pointed out that the fire occurred at a 5-story commercial center that had opened just a week ago, housing a restaurant and a hypermarket.

Al-Shammari directed the formation of a high-level investigation committee chaired by his technical advisor and including the director of forensic evidence and specialized investigators to determine the causes of the fire and assign responsibilities. He emphasized that the ministry "will not hesitate to hold any party accountable" and will announce the results as soon as they are complete in line with the principle of "full transparency".

On the other hand, Wasit Governor Mohammed Jameel al-Mayahi declared an official mourning period in the province for 3 days, stating that the victims exceeded 50 between dead and injured. He added that preliminary investigations will be revealed within 48 hours, and legal actions have been taken against the building owner.

The fire comes amid a severe heatwave in Iraq, leading to scattered fires. The country suffers from neglect of safety measures, especially in the construction sector, in addition to the deterioration of infrastructure due to years of conflicts.

It is worth mentioning that Iraq witnessed a similar incident in September 2023 when a fire at a wedding hall in the town of Qarqosh claimed the lives of 134 people due to fireworks and flammable building materials.