At least 50 killed, dozens missing in Iraq shopping mall fire
Iraqi PM inaugurates Mosul airport on anniversary of city's liberation from ISIS
Cardinal Sako urges Iraqi PM to halt 'violations' against Christian sites in Najaf
Senior KDP, PUK figures to meet Iraqi PM amid financial crisis
Iraq's three presidencies condemn 'drone attacks' on Kurdistan oil fields
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least 50 people have been killed and dozens remain missing after a fire broke out early Thursday morning at a shopping mall in Iraq's eastern Wasit province, according to Iraqi state media.
The state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that the blaze swept through the Hypermarket Mall in al-Kut, the provincial capital of Wasit, leaving 'at least fifty people dead' and '30 others still missing.
'Investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident,' INA stated.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Wasit Governor Muhammad Jamil al-Miahi declared 'three days of mourning for the souls lost in the tragic fire at the ill-fated Hypermarket Mall in al-Kut.' He added that lawsuits have been filed against the mall and building owners, as well as 'everyone involved.'
'We assure the innocent victims that we will not tolerate those who were a direct or indirect cause of this incident,' al-Miahi added, promising preliminary results from the investigation within 48 hours.
Fires are a recurring threat in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, where enforcement of fire and safety regulations is often inadequate. The risk increases significantly during the summer months, when extreme heat exacerbates the potential for electrical faults and other fire hazards.
Contributing factors include aging infrastructure, overcrowded public spaces, poor electrical systems, and a widespread lack of basic fire safety measures.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Amnesty International: Iraq must block or amend protest bill
Shafaq News – Baghdad On Friday, Amnesty International called on Iraqi lawmakers to reject or amend a proposed law on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, warning that it could further restrict civic space and violate fundamental rights. The draft legislation is scheduled for a parliamentary vote on August 2. Amnesty's Iraq researcher, Razaw Salihy, cautioned that the bill—if passed in its current form—would add to the tools already used by authorities to suppress dissent and silence critical voices. She emphasized that the law threatens Iraq's obligations under both its constitution and international human rights agreements. 'Lawmakers must not allow this proposal to become another mechanism for stifling public discourse,' Salihy said. Human rights defenders, journalists, and protesters across Iraq already face harassment, intimidation, and arrest—often under vague defamation laws and penal code articles incompatible with free speech protections. Amnesty highlighted that those speaking out against corruption or poor services are frequently targeted, especially in the context of worsening living conditions and persistent shortages of water, electricity, and basic infrastructure.
Rudaw Net
4 hours ago
- Rudaw Net
Amnesty urges Iraq's parliament to reject controversial free speech bill
Also in Iraq Iraqi parliament to vote on controversial protest bill Iraq arrests accused Anfal executioner Kirkuk court hands suspended sentence to Kurdish villager over disputed land Baghdad may waive oil shortfall blocking June budget transfers to Erbil: KRG source A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Amnesty International on Friday urged Iraqi lawmakers to reject a controversial freedom of expression bill that is scheduled to be put to a vote on Saturday, warning it could be used to restrict protests and limit free speech. 'Lawmakers must vote against or propose amendments to any laws that would add to the arsenal of tools that the authorities are already using to restrict civic space or betray Iraq's constitutional and international commitments to protect freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly,' said Razaw Salihy, Amnesty International's Iraq researcher. The bill would criminalize hate speech and insults to religious sects, ban nighttime protests, and restrict gatherings near hospitals, schools, and government buildings. The parliament's human rights committee has called for amendments or removal of numerous sections. Salihy warned that unofficial drafts reviewed by civil society groups suggest the law could lead to violations of the rights to free expression and peaceful assembly. She also criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the bill, saying it is being 'surreptitiously snuck through in a shroud of secrecy' and with 'no public debate.' The bill defines peaceful demonstration as a lawful public gathering to express opinions or demand rights, requiring prior approval from local authorities at least five days in advance. Denied requests for a demonstration can be appealed through the courts. Salihy warned that activists and journalists in Iraq face increasing repression, with arrests, harassment, and intimidation severely undermining free speech.
Iraqi News
4 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Trump Orders Deployment of Two Nuclear Submarines Near Russia
Follow-up - INA US President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines near Russia on Friday. Trump said in press statements: "I have ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines in appropriate areas in case Medvedev's inflammatory statements cross the line." He added, "I have been informed that approximately 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed this month in the ridiculous war with Ukraine." He emphasized that "Russia has lost 112,500 soldiers since the beginning of the year, and this is a huge and unnecessary number of deaths." Trump continued, "Ukraine has also lost approximately 8,000 soldiers since the beginning of the year, and Ukrainian civilians have been killed by Russian missiles."
