Iraq’s Interior Ministry Suspends 17 Officials, Detains 3 Officers over Deadly Kut Fire

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraq’s Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday that it has suspended 17 government employees and ordered the detention of three officers in connection with the catastrophic fire at a five-story hypermarket in the city of Kut, Wasit province, which left 61 people dead and dozens injured.

Miqdad Miri, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, stated that the high-level investigative committee—formed by order of the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani—determined that gross negligence on the part of several officials and employees from various departments exacerbated the disaster.

"The committee concluded, based on field investigations, evidence review, and witness testimonies, that clear negligence worsened the catastrophe and led to heavier human and material losses," Miri said.

As a result, the committee ordered the provisional Suspension of 17 government employees and Detained 3 officers from Wasit province until the investigation is concluded. Miri added that the findings would eventually be made public.

Interior Ministry’s Preliminary Report: 61 Dead, Dozens Injured

In a statement issued on Thursday, July 17, the Ministry of Interior confirmed that the blaze claimed the lives of 61 people, most of whom died from suffocation. Additionally, 14 severely burned victims remain unidentified, while 45 individuals were rescued from the upper floors by civil defense teams.

KRG Prime Minister Expresses Solidarity

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday extended heartfelt condolences to the victims of the devastating fire that swept through a shopping mall in Kut, Wasit province.

The premier also declared that the Kurdistan Region is ready to assist disaster victims, with institutions on standby for medical care and humanitarian aid. He emphasized, “The doors of the Kurdistan Region are open.

Civil Defense: Most Victims Trapped in Upper Floors

On Thursday, Nawwas Sabah, head of the public relations department at Iraq’s Civil Defense Directorate, told the Iraqi News Agency that emergency crews quickly reached the scene and managed to rescue 45 people trapped on the upper floors. He noted that the majority of the victims had been in the higher levels of the building, while most people on the lower floors were able to escape.

Sabah said the fire initially broke out on the second floor, which was designated for the sale of women’s accessories and cosmetics. He added that the building’s five floors served different purposes, with the first housing the hypermarket, the third for home appliances, and the fourth and fifth serving as restaurants.

Safety Violations and Illegal Operations

Sabah emphasized that none of the building's floors met basic safety regulations. The premises had previously been closed for six months due to violations. Although it was originally approved solely as a restaurant space, the owner later illegally converted the building into a commercial complex without acquiring the necessary permits.

Families of Victims Demand Accountability

In the aftermath of the tragedy, families of the victims staged protests outside the burnt structure, raising banners that read "All of them are thieves." They blamed government officials for failing to enforce safety protocols and accused them of corruption.

According to victims’ relatives, the lack of essential firefighting equipment in the building significantly contributed to the severity of the disaster. They expressed outrage over what they described as government negligence and impunity, calling for justice and accountability for their lost loved ones.