Nasir al-Quraishi, who lost five family members, recounted that they had visited the mall to escape power cuts. “An air conditioner exploded on the second floor and then the fire erupted — and we couldn’t escape,” he said.

Governor Miyahi declared three days of mourning and announced legal action against the mall’s contractor and owner. He emphasized the need to reassess safety standards across the country.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered a thorough investigation to identify failures and prevent future tragedies.

Fires caused by poor safety standards are not uncommon in Iraq. In 2023, over 100 people died in a wedding hall fire, and in 2021, a hospital COVID-19 unit blaze killed more than 60, fueling public outrage.