PM Sudani refers ex-governor, officials to judiciary after deadly blaze

KUT — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Sunday approved the findings of an investigative committee into the July 16 fire at Kut’s Hypermarket that killed at least 61 people, referring several officials — including former Wasit Governor Mohammed Jameel Al-Mayahy — to the judiciary.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the move reflected “the government’s keenness and serious efforts to protect the lives of all citizens, achieve justice, uncover corruption files, hold those who are negligent accountable, and inform public opinion of its procedures.”

The committee found negligence among officials and employees who it said failed to perform their duties, allowing the hypermarket to be built without a construction license and connected to electricity without official approval. The report said these failures contributed to the scale of the disaster.

Referred to the judiciary were Al-Mayahy, the Wasit civil defense director, the current and former Kut municipality directors, the Wasit electricity distribution director, and staff tasked with monitoring violations and approving the building’s electricity supply. The government also directed ministries to form disciplinary boards to impose sanctions.

Al-Mayahy resigned July 23 “in honor of the martyrs’ families and in loyalty to the people of the governorate.” His resignation was accepted after nightly protests and a sit-in by victims’ families demanding his dismissal and prosecution.

The blaze, which tore through the Kut shopping mall on July 17, killed 61 people and fueled public anger over lax safety standards and delayed rescue efforts. Families of the victims staged nightly demonstrations outside the Wasit governorate council, erecting condolence tents and refusing to leave until their demands were met.

Al-Sudani initially approved the committee’s recommendations on July 22, calling for Al-Mayahy, members of the Wasit civil defense committee, and other officials to face further investigation. Sunday’s order confirmed those findings and escalated the case to the judiciary.