A massive fire at the newly opened Corniche Hypermarket Mall in Kut, Iraq, has killed at least 61 people, with 11 still missing. The five-story building had opened just five days earlier. According to Iraq’s interior ministry, many victims died of suffocation, some trapped in bathrooms or an elevator. “Five of my relatives died inside the elevator,” one man said.

The blaze started on the first floor and quickly spread. Though the exact cause is unclear, early reports suggest an air conditioner explosion. Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi, who lost five family members, said, “An air conditioner exploded on the second floor… and we couldn’t escape.”

Civil defense teams rescued over 45 people. Governor Miyahi declared three days of mourning and promised legal action against the mall’s owner and contractor, urging a national review of safety standards.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an investigation to find the cause and prevent future tragedies. Fires linked to poor safety are common in Iraq—over 100 died in a 2023 wedding hall fire, and 60 more in a 2021 hospital blaze.