The catastrophic blaze erupted on Wednesday night at the Corniche Hypermarket, just a week after it opened its doors to shoppers. Eyewitness footage shared on social media revealed frantic scenes as firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue people stranded on the roof. Local officials, including regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi, have expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, stating that legal action will be pursued against the owner for apparent safety violations.
Ambulances were seen transporting victims to hospitals early Thursday, with the Interior Ministry reporting that many of the deceased suffocated, primarily in bathrooms, while waiting for rescue. Among the victims were individuals who had come to the mall to escape the discomfort of power cuts at home—only to find themselves caught in the disaster.
Witness reports indicate that an explosion from an air conditioning unit on the second floor triggered the fire, leaving survivors like Nasir al-Quraishi grieving the loss of five family members. Meanwhile, Ali Kadhim anxiously searched for his cousin and his family, who are among the missing.
The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has offered condolences to the bereaved families and demanded an immediate inquiry into the fire's origin and the negligence that led to such a calamity. There are growing concerns regarding the lack of adequate fire safety measures in the building.
As Iraq faces ongoing challenges with inadequate construction regulations, this tragic incident echoes past disasters including a devastating fire at a wedding in 2023 that resulted in over 100 casualties. The people of Iraq are left mourning yet another loss, highlighting the urgent need for reform in building safety standards.
Ambulances were seen transporting victims to hospitals early Thursday, with the Interior Ministry reporting that many of the deceased suffocated, primarily in bathrooms, while waiting for rescue. Among the victims were individuals who had come to the mall to escape the discomfort of power cuts at home—only to find themselves caught in the disaster.
Witness reports indicate that an explosion from an air conditioning unit on the second floor triggered the fire, leaving survivors like Nasir al-Quraishi grieving the loss of five family members. Meanwhile, Ali Kadhim anxiously searched for his cousin and his family, who are among the missing.
The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has offered condolences to the bereaved families and demanded an immediate inquiry into the fire's origin and the negligence that led to such a calamity. There are growing concerns regarding the lack of adequate fire safety measures in the building.
As Iraq faces ongoing challenges with inadequate construction regulations, this tragic incident echoes past disasters including a devastating fire at a wedding in 2023 that resulted in over 100 casualties. The people of Iraq are left mourning yet another loss, highlighting the urgent need for reform in building safety standards.
