The blaze erupted unexpectedly on the mall’s first floor, rapidly consuming the structure and leaving little chance for escape. The fire’s speed and intensity trapped many inside, with some victims found in bathrooms and others in an elevator, unable to flee. Survivors recall desperate, harrowing attempts to find safety amid thick smoke and searing heat.
As rescue teams battled the inferno, grief overwhelmed the community. Officials have launched an investigation into safety violations, holding contractors accountable. The tragedy has exposed critical flaws in emergency preparedness and ignited calls for urgent reforms to prevent future disasters in Iraq’s public spaces.
