Iraqi authorities announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, that at least 60 people were killed and dozens injured after a massive fire broke out at a crowded shopping mall in Iraq.

According to civil defense sources, the fire started on the upper floors of the building and quickly spread due to the presence of flammable materials and poor safety measures. Firefighters reportedly faced great difficulty in evacuating people and containing the blaze.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that several of the injured are in critical condition. Rescue operations are still underway amid partially collapsed sections of the building. Authorities have launched an urgent investigation into the cause of the fire, as public anger grows over the recurring safety lapses in public facilities.