Iraq shuts down over 600 businesses for safety violations after deadly Kut fire

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Interior Ministry announced Thursday that 610 commercial and industrial sites across the country were shut down on July 18 for violating civil defense safety regulations, as authorities seek to show intensified inspections following the deadly hypermarket fire in Kut that claimed at least 61 lives.

Brig. Gen. Miqdad Miri, head of the ministry’s media and relations department, said coordinated inspections were carried out in all governorates, with closures imposed under the Civil Defense Law for a period of 10 days.

“The closures are part of efforts to enforce occupational safety standards and prevent avoidable disasters,” Miri said. “These measures follow the recent tragic incidents in several cities.”

The crackdown revealed widespread noncompliance, with Najaf recording the highest number of violations at 150 sites, followed by Karbala with 128, Babylon with 103, and Anbar with 68. Baghdad’s Rusafa district reported no violations, according to the ministry.

The campaign reflects directives issued by the interior minister to improve adherence to safety standards nationwide. Miri urged business and facility owners to fully cooperate with inspection teams. “It is a matter of protecting lives and property,” he said. “Catastrophes can be avoided with basic preventive measures.”

The stepped-up enforcement comes in the wake of a July 16 fire that tore through the newly opened Corniche Hypermarket in Kut. Investigations have pointed to severe administrative failings, prompting the suspension of 17 employees and the detention of three officers tied to the incident. The blaze, which raged for hours, exposed serious lapses in both safety enforcement and emergency preparedness.