Video: Newly Opened Mall Engulfed in Flames In Iraq, 60 Dead; 3 Days of Mourning Declared

At least 50 people were killed in a fire that broke out early Thursday at a shopping mall eastern Iraqi city of Kut, state media said.

"We have compiled a list of 59 victims whose identities have been confirmed, but one body was so badly burned that it has been extremely difficult to identify," Reuters quoted a city health official as saying, as more bodies are being recovered.

"The number of victims has reached about 50 people, martyrs and injured, in the tragic fire at a major shopping center" which broke out late on Wednesday, the Wasit province governor, Mohammed al-Miyahi, told the official INA news agency.

The mall was opened just five days ago, according to a report in AFP.

Unverified viral footage circulating online showed a massive section of a building engulfed in flames, thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

CNN geolocated a video shared on Facebook, confirming it depicted a multi-story building in Kut consumed by fire, with a crowd trapped on the rooftop as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Another video posted on X showed people calmly evacuating the building even as flames roared above them.

Photos shared on Telegram captured crowds gathered behind barriers at an unverified location during the day, with emergency vehicles stationed nearby.

According to local media, Wasit's governor has announced three days of mourning for the fire victims.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, but officials have opened an investigation. "We have filed lawsuits against the building and mall owner," the Wasit governor told INA, stating that preliminary findings would be released within 48 hours.

Ambulances continued transporting casualties until 4 a.m., overwhelming a hospital in Kut, located roughly 160 km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad.

In view of the tragedy, Miyahi declared three days of provincial mourning and confirmed legal action would be taken against the building and mall owner.