Kut fire investigation widens as judiciary issues arrest warrants

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s judiciary has launched a criminal investigation and issued arrest warrants for multiple officials and individuals linked to last week’s deadly fire at the Corniche Hypermarket in Kut, which left at least 61 people dead and sparked widespread public outrage.

In a statement Sunday, the judiciary said the Wasit Appeals Court began legal proceedings “in implementation of the directives of the Head of the Supreme Judicial Council.” A judicial panel visited the site of the fire alongside the court president and subsequently issued arrest and search warrants targeting those deemed responsible.

Warrants under Article 411/3 of the Penal Code were issued for the hypermarket’s building owner and his business partner, both of whom remain at large. Additional warrants under Article 343/3 target senior municipal and civil defense officials, including the head of Kut’s urban planning division, the municipality’s violations division chief, its assistant director, a land surveyor, and several staff from the violations department within the Excellence Sector. Also named were the head of the civil defense safety and prevention division, the director of Wasit civil defense, civil defense officers, and a former director of Kut municipality.

All arrests have been executed except those of the building owner and his partner.

The judiciary said it has taken testimonies from workers, including five Syrian nationals, as well as eyewitnesses and victims’ families. The investigation builds on earlier disciplinary action by the Interior Ministry, which suspended 17 government employees and detained three senior officers. Preliminary findings cited widespread administrative negligence and failure to enforce basic safety standards.

The fire broke out late Wednesday in a five-story commercial building that had been open for just one week. Most of the victims died from smoke inhalation, with many trapped inside bathrooms lacking emergency exits.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani described the disaster as another example of “repeated negligence,” drawing comparisons to the 2023 Hamdaniya wedding hall fire and previous hospital fires. The cabinet has approved compensation of 10 million dinars (approximately $7,140) per victim and introduced a draft law to support families affected by similar tragedies.

Meanwhile, public anger is mounting in Wasit, where protests outside the provincial council continued through the weekend. Demonstrators issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the dismissal of top local officials, including the governor and police chief.

“Resign before regret is too late,” said academic Mohammed Mez’al Khalati. Protester Abu Shuja Al-Kinani added, “The people of Wasit from all walks of life are united in demanding punishment for those responsible — from the governor and police chief to the lowest level involved in the disaster.”

The final results of the government’s investigation are expected to be submitted to the Council of Ministers in the coming days.