A devastating fire tore through a large commercial building in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut, resulting in dozens of fatalities, local authorities have confirmed. The blaze engulfed the multistorey structure rapidly, trapping people inside and forcing a desperate evacuation.
Video footage shared on Facebook and verified by CNN showed intense flames consuming the building while a group of people gathered on the rooftop, awaiting rescue as firefighters fought to control the inferno.
In another video posted to X, onlookers could be seen calmly evacuating the building despite flames raging directly overhead, highlighting the chaos and urgency of the situation.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, while emergency responders continue operations amid mounting casualties. This tragic incident underscores ongoing safety challenges in commercial infrastructure amid Iraq’s broader recovery efforts.
