Iraq mall blaze kills 69, horror unfolds inside Al-Kut’s five-storey hypermarket; PM orders probe

A massive fire tore through a five-storey shopping mall in eastern Iraq’s al-Kut city, killing at least 60 people and leaving 11 missing. The blaze erupted overnight, trapping shoppers and staff as flames engulfed the building. Rescue teams battled the fire for hours, with several victims feared still under the debris. Officials confirmed lawsuits against the mall’s owners, and a probe is underway. The tragedy has sparked outrage over safety lapses and emergency response failures.