Iraqi PM refers Wasit governor for investigation over deadly Kut fire

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Tuesday approved the findings of the investigative committee probing the Corniche Hypermarket fire in Kut that killed more than 61 people, and ordered the referral of Wasit Gov. Mohammed Jameel Al-Mayahy and members of the governorate’s civil defense committee for further investigation.

The decision followed a cabinet session that opened with a briefing from the committee tasked with examining the causes and official failings surrounding the July 17 blaze. “The Prime Minister approved the findings of the investigative committee regarding the tragic fire incident in Kut, which included referring the governor of Wasit, in his capacity as head of the governorate’s civil defense committee, along with other committee members, for investigation to determine responsibility and the causes of negligence,” the Council of Ministers said in a statement.

The fire broke out late Wednesday in a five-story commercial building that had been open for just one week. Most victims died from smoke inhalation, many trapped inside bathrooms that lacked emergency exits. The judiciary has since launched a criminal investigation and issued arrest warrants under Articles 411/3 and 343/3 of the Penal Code for the building owner, his business partner, and several senior local officials. All but the building owner and his partner have been detained.

Separately, the Interior Ministry took disciplinary measures, suspending 17 officials and detaining three senior officers. Investigators cited systemic negligence and widespread failure to enforce fire safety standards, including nonfunctional alarm systems, insufficient emergency exits, and a lack of basic fire suppression infrastructure.

Public outrage has intensified in Wasit. For more than a week, families of the victims have staged nightly demonstrations in front of the governorate council building. On Monday, they launched an open-ended sit-in, erecting condolence tents and demanding the governor’s dismissal and prosecution. “We, the families of the martyrs of Kut, demand the dismissal of Gov. Mohammed Jameel Al-Mayahy and his referral to the judiciary,” they said in a statement.

They also called on parliament to disclose the names of lawmakers and local council members who oppose the governor’s removal, warning that “we will confront them as the families of the martyrs.”