Iraq Mall Fire Claims at Least 60 Lives

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A fire swept through a recently opened shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut during the night, resulting in the death of at least 61 individuals, according to officials on Thursday, as heartbroken families continued their search for loved ones who went missing.

Authorities mentioned that numerous individuals suffocated in restroom areas, while a witness reported to AFP that his five family members perished in an elevator.

The fire — the latest in a nation where safety rules are often ignored — erupted late Wednesday, reportedly beginning on the ground floor before quickly spreading to the five-story Corniche Hypermarket Mall.

The reason remained unclear at first, but one survivor reported to AFP that an air conditioner had exploded.

Multiple individuals told AFP that they had lost relatives — and in certain instances, entire families — who had visited the mall to shop and eat just days after it opened in Kut, approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) southeast of Baghdad.

Videos posted on social media depicted individuals, including kids, perched on rooftops, pleading for assistance.

An AFP reporter described witnessing burned remains at the provincial forensic facility.

Ali Kadhim, 51, mentioned that he had been traveling back and forth between the mall and the primary hospital, where the injured were taken, in search of his cousin, who is missing together with his wife and three children.

Back at the shopping center, he nervously awaited as emergency workers scoured the debris for those trapped, with an ambulance ready nearby.

"We are unaware of what occurred to them," he stated.

An AFP reporter on the scene mentioned that the fire had been controlled and the front part of the structure was heavily burned.

The interior ministry stated in a release that "the devastating fire resulted in the deaths of 61 innocent individuals, with many suffocating in the bathrooms, and 14 bodies that were burned and remain unidentified."

'We couldn't escape' The official INA news agency later cited a medical source who reported 63 fatalities and 40 people injured.

The provincial governor of Wasit, Mohammed al-Miyahi, informed INA that the victims comprised men, women, and children.

A healthcare official in Kut informed AFP that there were "numerous unidentified corpses."

More than 45 individuals were rescued by civil defense teams from within the building, which houses a restaurant and a supermarket, according to the interior ministry.

The main hospital's ward was overcrowded, while in other areas, an AFP reporter observed heartbroken family members waiting at the forensic unit for updates, with some falling to the ground in sorrow.

A man broke down, beating his chest and shouting.

Dr. Nasir al-Quraishi, a man in his 50s, mentioned that he lost five relatives in the blaze.

A catastrophe has occurred," he said to AFP. "We went to the mall to have some food, have dinner, and avoid power outages at home.

An air conditioner burst on the second floor, and then the fire broke out — and we were unable to flee.

Lax safety regulations Moataz Karim, aged 45, hurried to the shopping center at midnight, only to learn the heartbreaking information that three of his family members had gone missing.

Several hours later, he recognized the burnt remains of two family members, one of whom had started employment at the mall three days prior.

"No fire suppression system is in place," he said with anger, waiting for more updates outside the forensic department.

Iraq's construction industry frequently ignores safety regulations, and the nation, which has suffered from deteriorating infrastructure due to years of warfare, regularly faces deadly fires and incidents.

Blazes become more frequent during the scorching summer when temperatures reach up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).

In September 2023, a fire resulted in the death of at least 100 individuals as it spread through a packed Iraqi wedding venue, causing a frantic rush towards the exits.

In July 2021, a fire broke out in the Covid-19 ward of a hospital in southern Iraq, resulting in over 60 fatalities.

Governor Miyahi stated that local officials would initiate legal action against the mall's proprietor and the construction company.

"The tragedy came as a significant shock... and demands a thorough examination of all safety protocols," he stated.

The authorities announced a three-day period of remembrance.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has called for a "comprehensive investigation" into the fire to uncover "flaws" and avoid similar occurrences.

Numerous nations, such as Egypt, Iran, and France, extended their sympathies to Iraq and the families of the victims.

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad also expressed "its most sincere condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims."

In September 2023, a fire resulted in the deaths of at least 100 individuals as it spread through a packed Iraqi wedding venue, causing a frantic rush toward the exits.

In July 2021, a fire broke out in the Covid ward of a hospital in southern Iraq, resulting in the deaths of over 60 individuals.

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Mohbad: Nurse Trial Ordered, Police Faulted in Death Case

The Coroner's Court based in Ikorodu, Lagos, has suggested that an auxiliary nurse, Feyisayo Ogedengbe, should face criminal charges in connection with the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, widely recognized as Mohbad.

The official investigation initiated by the state government to examine the events leading to the singer's death commenced on September 29, 2023. Nineteen witnesses provided their statements.

On Friday, Magistrate Adedayo Shotobi delivered her decision, stating that the nurse showed serious carelessness by giving an injection to the singer without a physician's order.

Even though the court determined there was no evidence of foul play or murder, it found that the nurse's actions were "unlawful and professionally careless."

She stated, "Taking into account all the evidence, I can confirm the cause of death. However, the majority of the evidence indicates that the death was sudden, happening within minutes or hours following the administration of injection drugs by an unauthorized individual or through improper means. There was no natural cause that could explain the death. There was no indication of murder or intentional harm, but there was medical evidence. An irregular burial without a proper investigation, medical certificate, or police report is important to the court of justice."

Following section 29 of the Lagos State coroner laws, this court suggests that the prosecution of the unlicensed medical staff by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution should initiate suitable legal action against Felicia Ogedengbe for unauthorized medical activities and serious negligence.

The coroner also determined that Mohbad went through a series of challenging times prior to his passing, having been betrayed by his support network, which included his family, public organizations, and the music sector.

The coroner sounded the alarm about widespread failures in overseeing the health sector, noting that these deficiencies have allowed unlicensed and unqualified people to work as medical professionals without proper oversight or responsibility.

In a separate order, the coroner initiated a formal inquiry into the Nigeria Police's inaction concerning a petition submitted by the late musician prior to his passing. The court also instructed the appropriate authorities to assess if the lack of response constituted official neglect.

The magistrate added, 'Considering the extensive evidence of ongoing harassment, not just from security personnel and the Nigerian Police Force, the Human Rights Commission must look into all widely shared reports of intimidation or violence.'

During the funeral organized by the deceased's father, Joseph Aloba, the magistrate recognized the cultural reasons that influenced his choice to carry out the "hasty" and "undignified" burial.

However, it emphasized that he should have still completed the required legal and medical processes, such as obtaining a death certificate and conducting an autopsy following the unexpected passing of the talented artist.

The father's actions, although possibly influenced by cultural beliefs, showed a lack of procedural accountability in every burial, particularly considering the suspicion and natural conditions. The court determined that Mr. Aloba's behavior hindered forensic investigations, possibly delaying any opportunity for an inquiry.

"The following public claim and accusation, lacking supporting evidence, has further damaged his reputation and intentions. In situations where death seems unusual or sudden in a young adult without a terminal illness, a father genuinely seeking the truth would have opted for an autopsy and legal procedures before burial," she said.

The coroner noted that Omowunmi, the deceased's partner, was fully aware of the medical crisis but did not push for emergency services or guarantee appropriate ambulance assistance when Mohbad started vomiting and having seizures. Rather, several family members were seen fanning him and trying to move him on their own.

The coroner also highlighted that the most significant point was that, after Mohbad's death, Omowunmi remained notably quiet in questioning the conditions of his sudden illness. Although she lived with him as his wife and was the mother of his child, her complaints about harassment, abuse, and threats from the music industry only gained strength after his funeral and amid public anger.

The coroner also questioned why her voice was missing when it was most needed, and why there was no demand for a death certificate or a push for an investigation prior to the funeral.

"Although she might have felt overwhelmed, emotionally troubled, or ignored by the father, it was her duty as a wife and the last person present at the deceased's side to speak up, protest, or at minimum record the procedural issues at the time of death and burial. The wife, despite being deeply affected emotionally, holds some moral and practical responsibility for the silence around the death and the rushed burial. A more proactive and protective reaction was anticipated considering her role," the magistrate stated.

Legal advisor to Mohbad's family, Wahab Shittu, SAN, voiced approval of the suggestions.

This is a coroner who has demonstrated that she possesses intelligence, a sense of equilibrium, and moral integrity.

He mentioned that the next step would involve urging the authorities to adopt the suggestions and guarantee that the police thoroughly examine the petition submitted by the deceased musician and the events surrounding his passing.

Advice given to Mohbad's wife, Kabir Akingbolu, who also took a comparable position regarding the suggestions, stated that it wasn't his client's responsibility to prevent the father from burying the husband.

A 26-year-old man reportedly passed away on September 12, 2023, following an injury to the back of his right arm. He received treatment and was given an injection at his Lekki residence by a nurse, and died soon after experiencing a sudden seizure. His funeral took place the next day.

After significant public reaction, the body was removed from its resting place on September 21, 2023, for a post-mortem examination as directed by the Lagos State Government.

The results from the autopsy, released on April 29, 2024, indicated that the cause of death could not be determined because the internal organs were "in a condition of moderate to severe decay."

The second autopsy was requested by the Coroner in June 2024, following the family's petition for an independent examination.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).

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Dramatic Rescue: Two Women Save Collapsed Teen on Tokyo Train

TOKYO -- Two women acted quickly and saved a teenager who collapsed on a Tokyo train on May 8.

On June 29, they were thanked by the Tokyo Fire Department for their actions, and awarded certificates.

Around 10:30 a.m., a teenage girl suddenly fell down inside a train after it left Musashi-Kosugi Station. The girl's heart had stopped, and she needed help quickly.

Airu Shiozaki, a 22-year-old university student, was on the train. She heard someone quietly ask for help. In high school and university, she learned how to help people in emergencies. Shiozaki quickly ran to the girl and began giving her air (artificial respiration).

Another passenger on the train, Megumi Saiki, 51, also stood up quickly to help. Saiki works at a hospital and learned how to help people whose hearts have stopped. Saiki began pushing on the girl's chest (chest compressions) right away.

Other people also helped. Some passengers covered the girl with clothes to give her privacy. Another passenger pushed the emergency button inside the train.

The train soon arrived at Jiyugaoka Station in Tokyo. Emergency workers took the girl to a hospital, and she survived.

On June 29, the Tokyo Fire Department gave awards to Shiozaki and Saiki for saving the teenager's life. Nine other people on the train who also helped received special awards.

Shiozaki remembered that her class taught her, "If someone acts quickly, the chance of saving the person goes up a lot. Everyone should try to help." She said these words gave her courage to help.

Saiki said, "One person can't do everything alone. But when many people work together, we can save someone's life."

The chief of the Tokyo Fire Department's Meguro Fire Station said, "It's important to know how to help in an emergency. Also, it's important to quickly call 119 for help."

(Japanese original by Yuka Asahina, Tokyo City News Department)

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