At least 50 people have died in a fire at a hypermarket in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut.
The fire engulfed a five-story building housing a shopping mall, and videos on social media showed firefighters trying to contain the flames, Reuters reported, citing state news agency INA.
Videos shared on social media showed a five-storey building in al-Kut engulfed in flames overnight, with firefighters battling to control the fire.
A local health official told Reuters that 59 victims had been identified so far, but one body was burned beyond recognition.
“There are still more bodies trapped beneath the debris,” city official Ali al-Mayahi added.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the governor of the province said that preliminary findings from the investigation would be released within 48 hours, according to the state news agency INA.
INA also reported that legal action has been initiated against both the building and mall owners.
