At least 67 people have been killed in a massive fire that tore through a hypermarket in Iraq’s eastern city of Kut, according to an Iraqi security source.

The blaze, which erupted on Wednesday, has left the local community in shock as search operations continue to locate missing individuals trapped inside the devastated building.

Iraq’s Ministry of Interior earlier reported 61 fatalities, with 45 people successfully rescued from the commercial centre.

Emergency services, including firefighters and civil defence teams, are battling difficult conditions to search for survivors amidst the rubble and smoke. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, though initial reports suggest it may have been triggered by an electrical fault in the multi-storey complex, which housed shops, restaurants, and storage areas.

Local hospitals are treating dozens of survivors, many of whom suffered severe burns or smoke inhalation. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise further as rescue efforts continue. The hypermarket, a busy hub in Al-Kut, was crowded with shoppers at the time of the fire, exacerbating the scale of the tragedy.

Iraq’s Prime Minister has expressed condolences to the victims’ families and vowed to provide support for those affected. The government has also announced an urgent review of safety regulations in commercial buildings across the country to prevent similar disasters in the future.

The incident has raised concerns about fire safety standards in Iraq, where ageing infrastructure and lax enforcement of regulations have been blamed for previous deadly incidents. Al-Kut, located in Wasit province, is approximately 160km (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information about missing persons to come forward. The tragedy has cast a sombre mood over the city, as families wait anxiously for news of their loved ones. (ILKHA)