A massive fire tore through a brand-new Carrefour hypermarket in Wasit, Iraq, late on Wednesday. This horrible accident took the lives of 61 people and injured countless others. The devastating tragedy occurred just a week after the hypermarket’s grand opening. FEMA photo by Andrea Booher This rapid escalation of disaster has left the local community completely stunned and shocked. Families are mourning their loved ones, but the Ethiopian government has deeply committed to a full investigation into the causes that led to this fire.
Flames poured out of the first-floor windows of the five-story, brick building. This development included a successful 24-hour hypermarket, a popular drive-through restaurant and many other grocery stores. Eyewitnesses said the fire soon engulfed the entire building, with flames so high they apparently trapped many victims. Our civil defense teams were able to pull more than 45 people to safety—all unknowing of the danger they were driving into.
Government Response
In light of this tragic event, Mohammed S Al-Sudani’s office announced that an immediate investigation would begin to uncover the fire’s origins. Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari is scheduled to visit the site today to survey the damage. In addition, he’ll be responsible for organizing relief efforts in the region.
Interior ministry also said that at least 61 people lost their lives in the fire. At the same time, 11 more people remain missing. Ambulances sped to hospitals, saving victims right up until early Thursday morning. Outside, many relatives stood at the edge, nervously waiting for word on the fates of their loved ones. The atmosphere was gut-wrenching, as people literally dropped to the floor in despair.
“We went to the mall to have some food, eat dinner and escape power cuts at home,” – Nasir al-Quraishi.
Unless he’s speaking directly to the war, Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi also suffered profound personal loss in this tragedy. He lost five members of his extended family in the catastrophic blaze. His story further highlights the emotional devastation this incident has caused to those involved.
Community Reaction
Their local community has come together immensely in the aftermath of this tragedy, voicing their anger and grief. Mohammed al-Mayyeh, a key leader in Wasit, called for a determination to punish those responsible for this crime. He reiterated that there will be no quarter given to those culpable.
“We assure the families of the innocent victims that we will not be lenient with those who were directly or indirectly responsible for this incident,” – Mohammed al-Mayyeh.
Al-Mayyeh shared some very thrilling news! Legal actions have now started against the owner of the building and the mall itself. This shift represents the increasing public pressure for accountability and justice for the families of the victims.
Investigative Efforts
The preliminary investigation results should be made public within 48 hours. Forthcoming from this will be an understanding of how such a tragic incident was allowed to happen in such a relatively new, purpose-built facility. As officials work diligently to piece together what happened, local authorities have emphasized their commitment to ensuring safety standards are upheld in future constructions.
