In a devastating tragedy that has shaken Iraq to its core, at least 61 people, including several children, lost their lives when a massive fire engulfed a shopping mall in the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk. The fire, which broke out late Wednesday night, has left dozens injured and many more unaccounted for as rescue operations continue into the early hours of Thursday.
A Normal Evening Turns into a Nightmare
The incident occurred at a popular shopping center located in the heart of Dohuk, a bustling city in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq. According to eyewitnesses, what began as a normal shopping evening quickly turned into chaos when flames rapidly spread across the multi-story building, trapping shoppers and staff inside.
Thick black smoke blanketed the sky as emergency services rushed to the scene. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours, and the smell of burning plastic, clothes, and wood lingered long after the fire had been brought under control.
“We saw fire coming from the ceiling of the food court and people started shouting and running,” said Ahmed Khalid, a survivor who lost his cousin in the incident. “There was no proper exit, and people were jumping from the first and second floors just to survive.”
Preliminary Cause Points to Electrical Short Circuit
Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest that an electrical short circuit may have sparked the blaze. However, officials have not ruled out negligence or possible safety code violations.
Iraq’s civil defense chief in the region, Colonel Haval Bakr, told reporters that many fire exits were either locked or inaccessible, making it harder for people to escape.
“This is a failure of the system,” he said bluntly. “We cannot allow public spaces to ignore basic fire safety protocols.”
Casualty Numbers May Rise
As of now, at least 61 people have been confirmed dead, and over 40 others are injured, some critically. Many of the victims were children and families enjoying the mid-week evening. Hospital corridors were packed with grieving families and crying relatives as medical staff scrambled to identify the victims.
“Entire families have been wiped out,” said a medical worker from the Dohuk General Hospital, who asked not to be named. “The injuries are severe—burns, smoke inhalation, broken limbs from people jumping out of windows.”
Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescuers continue to search through the charred remains of the mall.
National Mourning and Outrage
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani expressed deep sorrow over the incident and declared a day of national mourning.
“This is a heartbreaking loss. We mourn with the families and promise full accountability. All those responsible, whether through action or negligence, will face the consequences,” he said in a televised address.
In Baghdad and other cities, flags were lowered to half-mast. Social media platforms were flooded with condolence messages, pictures of missing persons, and calls for better safety regulations.
A Pattern of Safety Failures
This is not the first time Iraq has seen deadly fires in public spaces. Just last year, a fire at a hospital in Nasiriyah killed over 90 people due to poor safety compliance and lack of functioning fire alarms. Similar incidents have happened in wedding halls, government buildings, and apartment complexes.
“These tragedies are not isolated—they are systemic,” said activist Leila Hassan. “We need to overhaul our safety systems and hold people accountable before more lives are lost.”
Support Pours In
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced compensation for the victims’ families and assured full medical treatment for the injured. Rescue teams from nearby provinces have also joined efforts to search the rubble.
Humanitarian agencies like the Red Crescent and Doctors Without Borders have begun coordinating relief supplies and counseling services for survivors and grieving families.
Looking Ahead
As the smoke clears over Dohuk, Iraqis are left grappling with another tragedy born of mismanagement, corruption, and outdated infrastructure. While promises of accountability have been made in the past, the real question remains: Will this time be any different?
For now, the country mourns the 61 souls lost in what should have been an ordinary evening at a mall—another painful reminder that until safety becomes a national priority, such horrors may continue.