Iraq's shopping centre fire leaves 61 dead, many missing

Title: Deadly Fire Ravages Iraq Shopping Center A devastating fire broke out at a shopping center in Kut, Iraq, leaving at least 61 people dead and many more unaccounted for. Eyewitness videos circulating on social media captured the harrowing scenes, showing several individuals trapped on the building's roof as the blaze raged on. The incident occurred in the evening hours, with the cause of the fire still under investigation. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but were unable to prevent the substantial loss of life. Authorities have launched a search and rescue operation, scouring the area for any survivors or victims who may have been trapped inside the burning structure. The death toll is expected to rise as more information becomes available. This tragic event has once again highlighted the need for improved fire safety standards and emergency response protocols in Iraq, where infrastructure challenges and resource constraints often contribute to the devastating impact of such disasters.