Iraq hypermarket fire kills 60, others missing.
A devastating tragedy has struck the city of Kut in Iraq’s Wasit province, where a massive fire engulfed a popular hypermarket, leaving at least 60 people dead and many others missing. The inferno, which broke out late last night, quickly spread through the building, trapping dozens of people inside. Emergency crews battled the flames for hours while searching desperately for survivors. The Wasit province governor called the incident “a tragedy and a calamity,” expressing deep sorrow for the lives lost. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze as rescue teams continue to sift through the charred remains in search of more victims.
Iraq Hypermarket Blaze Leaves at Least 60 Dead, Families Shattered in Tragic Night of Fire
KUT, Iraq — July 17, 2025
In one of the deadliest peacetime tragedies to strike Iraq in recent years, a massive fire tore through a bustling hypermarket in the eastern city of Kut, killing at least 60 people and leaving several others missing, trapped beneath the rubble and ashes.
The blaze, which ignited late Wednesday night, rapidly engulfed a five-storey building that housed both a busy hypermarket and a restaurant. It was a typical evening—families out shopping, some sitting down for dinner, unaware of the horror that would unfold in a matter of moments. By the time firefighters arrived, the inferno had already consumed much of the structure, making rescue efforts extremely difficult.
“We have compiled a list of 59 victims whose identities have been confirmed,” a city health official told Reuters, visibly shaken by the magnitude of the tragedy. We have more bodies that have not yet been recovered, still under the fire debris.”
As the smoke cleared in the early hours of Thursday, charred remains of shopping carts, scorched merchandise, and melted metal shelves gave a haunting glimpse of what had once been.
As firefighters, overwhelmed but relentless, battled to douse the flames. Bystanders could be heard crying, calling out for loved ones, or simply standing in shock as the building crumbled before their eyes.
“Families were having dinner and shopping. Some were preparing for the weekend,” he said. “Firefighters rescued a number of people and managed to extinguish the fire after several hours.”
But even victory over the flames brought little solace.
“We have lost innocent lives—men, women, and children who were simply going about their day.”
Among the dead were entire families, including children who were reportedly in a play area within the complex. Several bodies were found huddled together in stairwells and near exits—suggesting they were desperately trying to escape when smoke and heat overwhelmed them.
Witnesses described a harrowing scene of panic and chaos. “There was screaming, people running everywhere, thick smoke. I was lucky to get out,” said a survivor, Ahmed Khalil, who had just finished dinner with his wife and two children when the flames erupted. “I was holding my daughter’s hand and we were running through the smoke. It felt like the building was swallowing us.”
His wife, Layla, and their son were among those missing. “I don’t know where they are… I can’t find them in any hospital,” Khalil said, his voice breaking.
City official Ali al-Mayahi told Reuters that recovery operations were still ongoing. “We have bodies that are still beneath the debris. It’s painful to think how many lives were lost simply because there were not enough emergency exits, no proper fire suppression systems.”
In the wake of the tragedy, the local government has launched an investigation. Governor al-Mayahi announced that lawsuits have been filed against the building’s owner and the mall management for negligence. “We must hold accountable those responsible for allowing such violations of safety standards,” he said. “This should never have happened.”
The government has also called for nationwide inspections of commercial centers and public buildings to ensure fire safety compliance. Emergency responders and volunteers from neighboring towns have arrived in Kut to assist in the search and rescue efforts, while local hospitals remain on high alert to treat the injured and receive the bodies of the deceased.
As the city mourns, families have begun gathering outside hospitals and morgues, waiting for news—some clutching photos, others whispering prayers or simply weeping.
The central government has pledged compensation and aid, but for those who lost their loved ones, no amount of money can ease the pain.
“This is not just a fire—it’s a national wound,” said local teacher Samira Alwan, who lost her brother and two nieces in the blaze. “We send our children to the market thinking they’ll be safe. How could this happen?”
As night falls again on Kut, the city is eerily quiet—shops closed, streets empty, and the air still heavy with smoke and sorrow. The smell of burnt wood and melted plastic lingers. This tragedy has scarred a community that will take years to heal.
And yet, amidst the grief, there are stories of resilience—firefighters who ran back into the flames, shop workers who helped people find exits, strangers who pulled others from the fire. They are reminders that even in the darkest of nights, humanity does not falter.
But the questions remain—why were there no alarms? Why was there no sprinkler system?
For now, Kut grieves. The rest of Iraq watches with heavy hearts, and the world is reminded, once again, of how fragile life can be.