Many Killed As Fire Rips Through Shopping Mall In Eastern Iraq

A huge fire tore through a large shopping center in Iraq’s eastern city of Kut on Wednesday, killing dozens of people and devastating a community.

At least 61 people, including men, women and children died in the blaze at the five-story Al-Kornish Hypermarket, and dozens more were rescued from the burning building, according to a statement from Iraq’s Ministry of Interior.

Video footage shows the building engulfed by flames, with a group of people gathered on the rooftop as firefighters battled the blaze.

People were seen being helped through small windows by emergency responders in another video from regional authorities.

Three days of mourning for the victims has been declared in the Wasit region, the local governor, Mohammed Jameel Al-Mayahi.