Monday, 25 May 2026
A fire truck stands next to the wreckage of a five-storey shopping center, after a massive overnight fire killed dozens of people, in al-Kut, Wasit province, Iraq, July 17, 2025. REUTERS
Egypt extends condolences to Iraq after tragic fire in Kut
Egypt has expressed its deepest condolences to the Republic of Iraq following a devastating fire in the city of Kut, eastern Iraq. The blaze resulted in dozens of casualties and injuries.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Immigration, and Expatriate Egyptians Affairs, Egypt conveyed its sincere sympathies to the government and people of Iraq, as well as to the families of the victims affected by this painful tragedy.
Egypt affirmed its full solidarity with the sisterly Republic of Iraq and wished a swift recovery for all those injured in the incident.
A massive fire in a hypermarket in al-Kut city in eastern Iraq has left at least 69 people dead and 11 others missing, the city's health authorities and two police sources told Reuters on Thursday.
Reuters' footage of the aftermath of the overnight fire showed the blackened exterior of "Corniche Hypermarket" building, with rescue teams and security forces still at the site.
"We have more bodies that have not been recovered still under fire debris," city official Ali al-Mayahi told Reuters.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but the province's governor said initial results from an investigation would be announced within 48 hours, the INA state news agency reported.
"We have filed lawsuits against the owner of the building and the mall," INA quoted the governor as saying.