The fire reportedly spread rapidly, trapping shoppers and staff inside the premises.
At least 50 people died in a large-scale fire that broke out at an Iraqi shopping mall, AFP news agency reported Thursday.
While official word on the site is pending, various social media posts indicate the fire occurred in a supermarket in Al-Kut, a city situated southeast of Baghdad.
Haunting footage that emerged on the internet depicts a massive part of a building on fire, with huge clouds of dark smoke pouring into the atmosphere. The flames are said to have engulfed the premises very quickly, leaving shoppers and workers locked in.
The local government has not yet released a formal statement on the origin of the fire or the number of injured and missing people. Rescue efforts and emergency responders are on the ground, and rescue operations are underway.
According to eyewitnesses, panic set in as individuals scrambled to flee from the blaze, while others frantically looked for loved ones. Hospitals in the area have put medical teams on standby in anticipation of more casualties.
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This is a developing story. More details awaited.
