As many as 50 people died after a massive fire broke out at a hypermarket in Eastern Iraq’s Al-Kut city on Thursday. The state news agency (INA) reported, citing the province’s governor, Mohammed al-Miyahi. Videos circulating on social media showed flames engulfing a five-story building in Al-Kut overnight. Firefighters are still working to contain the fire. However, the videos couldn’t be verified. Initial reports suggested that an investigation would be announced within 48 hours.
“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,” a city health official told news agency Reuters. More bodies are being recovered.
The cause of the fire is not yet known, however it is expected that preliminary investigation findings would be announced within two days, Iran’s state news agency INA, said. “We have filed lawsuits against the owner of the building and the mall,” INA quoted the governor as saying.
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