Wasit to demolish fire-damaged Kut hypermarket after deadly blaze kills at least 61

WASIT — Wasit Gov. Hadi Al-Hamashi announced Saturday that the Kut hypermarket building will be demolished following a fire that killed at least 61 people, after a technical assessment deemed the structure unsafe and a threat to nearby buildings.

A report from the University of Wasit’s engineering consultancy office found the building “no longer usable and poses a danger to surrounding structures,” prompting the decision to remove it.

“We ask all our people to be cautious and avoid going near the building,” Al-Hamashi said in a statement issued by his office, warning residents not to enter or approach the site.

The Kut municipality confirmed it would begin demolition as soon as legal formalities are completed. “The municipality is moving forward with removing the building after completing the necessary legal steps,” the statement said.

Public anger has mounted in the aftermath of the fire, with families of the victims holding nightly protests outside the governorate council building. On Monday, they launched an open-ended sit-in, erecting condolence tents and demanding the dismissal and prosecution of then-Gov. Mohammed Jameel Al-Mayahy.

Al-Mayahy resigned Wednesday following growing pressure. In a statement, he said he was stepping down “in honor of the martyrs’ families and in loyalty to the people of the governorate.”