Overview

• Blaze struck late July 16 at the newly opened five-story Corniche Hypermarket Mall in Kut, killing at least 61 people predominantly from smoke inhalation.
• Civil Defense teams evacuated over 45 trapped shoppers and continue search operations for missing individuals.
• The Interior Ministry filed legal complaints against the mall and building owners for failing to install required fire safety measures.
• Investigators have 48 hours to deliver preliminary findings and have ordered DNA tests on 18 carbonized bodies to confirm identities.
• Wasit provincial authorities suspended local municipal leaders and launched safety inspections of commercial properties provincewide.