Tragic Mall Fire in Iraq's Wasit Province Kills 50

Baghdad, July 17 (AP) A devastating blaze at a shopping mall in eastern Iraq's Wasit province has claimed the lives of 50 individuals, including women and children, according to provincial governor Mohammed al-Mayyeh on Thursday.

Governor al-Mayyeh announced a three-day mourning period in response to the fire, which erupted on Wednesday in the town of Kut.

Details about the incident remain limited, as investigations continue into the fire's cause. The governor revealed that legal actions have been initiated against both the building and mall owners, although the specific charges have not been disclosed.

"We assure the families of the innocent victims that we will not be lenient with those who were directly or indirectly responsible for this incident," al-Mayyeh stated.

Poor building standards frequently contribute to such tragedies in Iraq. In July 2021, a fire at a hospital in Nasiriyah resulted in 60 to 92 fatalities and was linked to highly flammable "sandwich panel" cladding that is illegal in the country.

In 2023, over 100 individuals perished when a fire broke out at a wedding hall in Hamdaniya, Nineveh province, after pyrotechnics caused the ceiling panels to ignite.

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