Authorities, including Kut's regional governor, Mohammed al-Miyahi, have expressed profound grief over the incident, which has led to ongoing rescue operations for missing individuals. Eyewitness videos depict flames engulfing the multi-storey structure as firefighters battle the inferno. Many victims reportedly sought refuge at the mall to escape local power outages but faced tragedy instead. The governor has vowed to initiate legal proceedings against the mall's owners as investigations into the cause of the fire commence, with initial findings anticipated soon.
**Tragic Inferno Claims Lives at Newly Opened Mall in Kut, Iraq**
**Tragic Inferno Claims Lives at Newly Opened Mall in Kut, Iraq**
A catastrophic fire in a shopping centre has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread devastation in Kut.
The devastating blaze that erupted in the newly inaugurated Corniche Hypermarket Mall has claimed at least 55 lives and left many more injured, reports from local authorities indicate. The fire broke out late Wednesday and has since been contained, but not before causing significant destruction and affecting countless families.
