In the city of Al Kut in the east of Iraq, there was a large-scale fire in a shopping center, as a result of which at least 60 people died. Other victims may remain under the rubble. About this informs Reuters.
The five-story shopping center was engulfed in flames at night. According to a representative of the local health department, 60 bodies have been identified so far, but one more body was badly burned, making it difficult to identify. There is also a possibility that other victims remain under the rubble.
The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, said that he had instructed the Minister of the Interior to arrive at the scene of the tragedy to conduct an investigation and implement measures that would prevent similar incidents in the future.
The governor of the province, Wasit Mohammed al-Mayahi, clarified that the fire involved both a hypermarket and a restaurant. According to him, at that time there were families in the establishment who were having dinner and shopping. The governor also added that firefighters managed to save several people and put out the fire.
The causes of the fire are still being established. At the same time, legal proceedings have already been opened against the owner of the building and the management of the shopping center, but the details of the charges have not yet been disclosed. Three days of mourning have been declared in the region.
