At least 61 dead in shopping mall inferno ‘after air conditioner explodes’

At least 61 people have died after a huge fire ripped through a shopping mall in Iraq, with a survivor saying the inferno began after an air conditioning unit exploded.

Officials have launched an investigation into the blaze at the newly-opened six-storey Corniche Hypermarket Mall in the city of Kut, where men, women and children were said to be shopping last night.

The blaze reportedly began on the first floor of the building before tearing through the entire block, with horrifying video showing the block engulfed by flames and smoke.

Harrowing footage circulating on social media appears to show people on the roof as the flames rose up the building. It is unclear whether they were rescued.

Firefighters rescued a number of people from the building, local media reports. Ambulances were still taking casualties to hospital until 4am local time.

Chilling pictures of the aftermath this morning show the building completely blackened and burned out, with firefighters still at the scene.

Searches were continuing for the missing in the building’s wreckage this morning.

A medical source said there are ‘many unidentified bodies,’ with the dead said to include men, women and children.

Iraq’s interior ministry said in a statement: ‘The tragic fire claimed the lives of 61 innocent citizens, most of whom suffocated in bathrooms, and among them 14 charred bodies yet to be identified.’

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Tragedy at Home: 12-Year-Old Died After Hidden Electrical Hazard Turns Deadly  What should have been a place of warmth and security has become the setting for a devastating and unimaginable loss.  A 12-year-old child has tragically died in their own home after a hidden electrical hazard delivered a fatal shock—transforming an ordinary day into a nightmare no one saw coming. Emergency services were called to the residence, where it was confirmed that the child had stepped on a live, faulty electrical connection. The surge was powerful, and despite immediate efforts to revive them, the child was pronounced dead shortly after the incident.   The sudden loss has shattered the family and sent shockwaves through the local community, where neighbors are grappling with the heartbreaking reality: a child’s life cut short by a danger that lay hidden within the walls of their home.  Authorities have opened a formal investigation to determine how the electrical fault occurred—and whether poor maintenance, outdated wiring, or negligence contributed to the tragedy. Safety experts warn that many households harbor unseen electrical risks: exposed wires, malfunctioning outlets, or aging systems that can go undetected until it’s too late.  This incident casts a harsh light on an often-overlooked threat. While homes are meant to protect, they can also conceal hazards that become deadly without regular safety checks and preventive action.  A Wake-Up Call for Every Household  The death of this child is not only a personal tragedy for one family—it’s a chilling reminder of how quickly safety can unravel when hidden dangers are left unaddressed. It urges every homeowner and tenant to take stock of their surroundings, to treat electrical safety as more than just a technical concern.  Inspections, proper repairs, and professional oversight aren’t just about compliance—they are about preventing unthinkable loss. Conclusion  This heartbreaking loss serves as a solemn call to action. A child has died because of a hidden threat inside a place that should have been safe. While the investigation continues, one truth is already clear: vigilance saves lives.  For the grieving family, the pain is immeasurable. But for the broader community, their story is a powerful warning. Let this tragedy not be in vain. Let it be the moment we commit to ensuring our homes are truly safe—for ourselves, and for those we love most.

Tragedy at Home: 12-Year-Old Died After Hidden Electrical Hazard Turns Deadly What should have been a place of warmth and security has become the setting for a devastating and unimaginable loss. A 12-year-old child has tragically died in their own home after a hidden electrical hazard delivered a fatal shock—transforming an ordinary day into a nightmare no one saw coming. Emergency services were called to the residence, where it was confirmed that the child had stepped on a live, faulty electrical connection. The surge was powerful, and despite immediate efforts to revive them, the child was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. The sudden loss has shattered the family and sent shockwaves through the local community, where neighbors are grappling with the heartbreaking reality: a child’s life cut short by a danger that lay hidden within the walls of their home. Authorities have opened a formal investigation to determine how the electrical fault occurred—and whether poor maintenance, outdated wiring, or negligence contributed to the tragedy. Safety experts warn that many households harbor unseen electrical risks: exposed wires, malfunctioning outlets, or aging systems that can go undetected until it’s too late. This incident casts a harsh light on an often-overlooked threat. While homes are meant to protect, they can also conceal hazards that become deadly without regular safety checks and preventive action. A Wake-Up Call for Every Household The death of this child is not only a personal tragedy for one family—it’s a chilling reminder of how quickly safety can unravel when hidden dangers are left unaddressed. It urges every homeowner and tenant to take stock of their surroundings, to treat electrical safety as more than just a technical concern. Inspections, proper repairs, and professional oversight aren’t just about compliance—they are about preventing unthinkable loss. Conclusion This heartbreaking loss serves as a solemn call to action. A child has died because of a hidden threat inside a place that should have been safe. While the investigation continues, one truth is already clear: vigilance saves lives. For the grieving family, the pain is immeasurable. But for the broader community, their story is a powerful warning. Let this tragedy not be in vain. Let it be the moment we commit to ensuring our homes are truly safe—for ourselves, and for those we love most.

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Tragedy at Home: 12-Year-Old Died After Hidden Electrical Hazard Turns Deadly  What should have been a place of warmth and security has become the setting for a devastating and unimaginable loss.  A 12-year-old child has tragically died in their own home after a hidden electrical hazard delivered a fatal shock—transforming an ordinary day into a nightmare no one saw coming. Emergency services were called to the residence, where it was confirmed that the child had stepped on a live, faulty electrical connection. The surge was powerful, and despite immediate efforts to revive them, the child was pronounced dead shortly after the incident.   The sudden loss has shattered the family and sent shockwaves through the local community, where neighbors are grappling with the heartbreaking reality: a child’s life cut short by a danger that lay hidden within the walls of their home.  Authorities have opened a formal investigation to determine how the electrical fault occurred—and whether poor maintenance, outdated wiring, or negligence contributed to the tragedy. Safety experts warn that many households harbor unseen electrical risks: exposed wires, malfunctioning outlets, or aging systems that can go undetected until it’s too late.  This incident casts a harsh light on an often-overlooked threat. While homes are meant to protect, they can also conceal hazards that become deadly without regular safety checks and preventive action.  A Wake-Up Call for Every Household  The death of this child is not only a personal tragedy for one family—it’s a chilling reminder of how quickly safety can unravel when hidden dangers are left unaddressed. It urges every homeowner and tenant to take stock of their surroundings, to treat electrical safety as more than just a technical concern.  Inspections, proper repairs, and professional oversight aren’t just about compliance—they are about preventing unthinkable loss. Conclusion  This heartbreaking loss serves as a solemn call to action. A child has died because of a hidden threat inside a place that should have been safe. While the investigation continues, one truth is already clear: vigilance saves lives.  For the grieving family, the pain is immeasurable. But for the broader community, their story is a powerful warning. Let this tragedy not be in vain. Let it be the moment we commit to ensuring our homes are truly safe—for ourselves, and for those we love most.

Tragedy at Home: 12-Year-Old Died After Hidden Electrical Hazard Turns Deadly What should have been a place of warmth and security has become the setting for a devastating and unimaginable loss. A 12-year-old child has tragically died in their own home after a hidden electrical hazard delivered a fatal shock—transforming an ordinary day into a nightmare no one saw coming. Emergency services were called to the residence, where it was confirmed that the child had stepped on a live, faulty electrical connection. The surge was powerful, and despite immediate efforts to revive them, the child was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. The sudden loss has shattered the family and sent shockwaves through the local community, where neighbors are grappling with the heartbreaking reality: a child’s life cut short by a danger that lay hidden within the walls of their home. Authorities have opened a formal investigation to determine how the electrical fault occurred—and whether poor maintenance, outdated wiring, or negligence contributed to the tragedy. Safety experts warn that many households harbor unseen electrical risks: exposed wires, malfunctioning outlets, or aging systems that can go undetected until it’s too late. This incident casts a harsh light on an often-overlooked threat. While homes are meant to protect, they can also conceal hazards that become deadly without regular safety checks and preventive action. A Wake-Up Call for Every Household The death of this child is not only a personal tragedy for one family—it’s a chilling reminder of how quickly safety can unravel when hidden dangers are left unaddressed. It urges every homeowner and tenant to take stock of their surroundings, to treat electrical safety as more than just a technical concern. Inspections, proper repairs, and professional oversight aren’t just about compliance—they are about preventing unthinkable loss. Conclusion This heartbreaking loss serves as a solemn call to action. A child has died because of a hidden threat inside a place that should have been safe. While the investigation continues, one truth is already clear: vigilance saves lives. For the grieving family, the pain is immeasurable. But for the broader community, their story is a powerful warning. Let this tragedy not be in vain. Let it be the moment we commit to ensuring our homes are truly safe—for ourselves, and for those we love most.