BAGHDAD: Around 50 people were killed in a massive fire at a hypermarket in Iraq's Wasit province, the regional governor said on Thursday.
Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil Al-Mayahi has declared a three-day mourning period following a tragic fire in central Kut.
The incident, which occurred while families were dining and shopping, resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 people, including men, women, and children.
According to the authorities, the death toll might rise further. The search for other missing people is also underway, according to local media reports.
The cause of the fire remains unknown as of now.
In a statement to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), Governor Al-Mayahi expressed deep sorrow, stating, "We mourn the loss of a group of our sons and daughters. This is a devastating tragedy for the people of Kut and all of Wasit."