Iraq: Shopping centre fire in Kut leaves 61 dead, many missing

Videos on social media appear to show a number of people on the roof during the fire in the city of Kut.

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The blaze at the mall, which opened seven days ago, broke out on Wednesday night and has since been brought under control.

Videos posted on social media showed firefighters rescuing people from the mall's roof, but state media reported that many were still missing.

"A tragedy and a calamity has befallen us," regional governor Mohammed al-Miyahi said, adding that legal action would be brought against the shopping centre's owner. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.

The governor has also declared three days of mourning.