Disaster in Iraq! A fire at the Hyper Mall shopping center in Kuta has claimed 61 lives, including 14 charred bodies that have yet to be identified. It all started with an air conditioner explosion on the second floor, and the fire quickly spread, trapping people in bathrooms where they suffocated. The mall had been open for only five days before the tragedy! Hospitals in Kuta, a city about 100 kilometers southeast of Baghdad, were overwhelmed, and emergency services worked through the early morning hours. The governor declared three days of mourning and announced a lawsuit against the mall owners and contractors. The investigation is ongoing, with preliminary results expected within 48 hours. This tragedy highlights the catastrophic safety failures in Iraq’s construction sector, especially in a country struggling with decades of conflict and poor infrastructure. Fires are common, especially during the scorching summer months when temperatures reach up to 50 degrees Celsius. Similar disasters have occurred before, including fires in a wedding hall and a COVID hospital ward, killing dozens. This catastrophe is a wake-up call for urgent review and strict enforcement of safety measures in Iraq. So, how often do you check your air conditioner’s safety at home? Share your thoughts — maybe it’s time we all pay a little more attention to safety around us!
