Baghdad - Saba:
Iraqi medical sources reported on Thursday that the death toll from the fire that broke out in a commercial complex in the city of Kut, Wasit Province, has risen to 77.
Wasit Governor Muhammad Al-Miyahi said in a statement: "To the residents of Kut and all of Wasit, we mourn a group of dear people from our province. We have lost nearly 50 individuals - men, women, and children - in the tragic fire at the Hypermarket Mall," according to Shafaq News.
In a separate statement, Al-Miyahi declared three days of mourning for the victims of the fire disaster in Kut.
Addressing the families of the victims, he said: "We will not be lenient with those who were directly or indirectly responsible for this incident, which is not without suspicious circumstances." He added: "We will announce the preliminary investigation results to the public within 48 hours."
He continued: "We have filed legal cases against the building owner, the mall owner, and all those connected to the incident."
Earlier on Thursday, a security source reported an initial toll of two deaths and ten injuries from a massive fire that erupted inside a commercial complex in the city of Kut, Wasit Province.