Tragic Fire at Iraq’s Hyper Mall Kills and Injures Around 50 People
WASIT, IRAQ – A devastating fire at the newly opened Hyper Mall in Wasit province has left nearly 50 people dead or injured, according to local officials. The incident occurred late Wednesday night, with emergency response teams working through the early hours to rescue and treat victims.
Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi confirmed the casualty figure while speaking to Iraq’s state-run INA news agency, calling the incident a “tragedy.” He added that ambulances were still rushing victims to hospitals as late as 4:00 a.m., overwhelming medical facilities in Kut, located approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad.
According to initial reports, the fire is believed to have started on the first floor of the shopping centre, which had only been operational for five days. An AFP correspondent at the scene described a harrowing situation, with charred bodies seen in the hospital.
Governor Miyahi announced a three-day mourning period in Wasit and confirmed that legal action would be taken against the mall’s owner and the building management. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
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