ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Sunday approved an investigative report into a deadly shopping mall blaze in the eastern city of Kut that killed at least 77, referring several officials, including the former Wasit governor, to the judiciary. 

“The committee confirmed that several officials and employees failed to fulfill their duties and neglected the responsibilities entrusted to them,” said a statement from Sudani’s office, adding that the province’s former governor, civil defense head, and several other officials were referred to the judiciary. 

It further accused the relevant officials of permitting “the project owner to build without a construction permit” and allowing “electricity to be connected to the building without the required legal approvals.”

A major fire erupted at the newly-opened five-story Corniche Hypermarket in Kut in July, claiming the lives of at least 77 people, in one of the country’s deadliest civil disasters in years. Authorities later confirmed that the building had been operating without construction permits, safety approvals, or an investment license.

The Iraqi premier directed relevant ministries to form “investigative councils and committees and impose disciplinary sanctions” against the relevant officials.

Former Wasit Governor Mohammed al-Miyahi, in a statement, responded to Sudani’s decisions. “Our journey with the Prime Minister began with enticement, followed by intimidation. He offered what he offered in order for us to form an alliance and participate on his electoral list,” wrote Miyahi in an X post. 

“After we decided not to enter into an alliance with him, he exploited the Kut fire incident to settle scores, and he departed from his professionalism. He directly bargained with us and asked that we give him guarantees that we would join him after the elections, or he would use the fire incident as he did now,” the former governor further alleged. 

Iraq regularly experiences fires, especially during the hot summer months, with safety standards in the Iraqi construction sector often being neglected, thus increasing the risk.
 
Over 21,000 fire incidents were recorded in Iraq in 2023, and more than 5,500 fires were reported during the first half of 2024, according to official figures.