The international community is responding to two separate and devastating events that unfolded overnight. In Iraq, a catastrophic fire at a newly opened shopping mall has claimed the lives of dozens, while a major earthquake off the coast of Alaska, USA, triggered a widespread tsunami alert and evacuations.
Dozens Killed in Blaze at New Shopping Mall in Kut, Iraq
A horrific fire has engulfed a five-story shopping mall in the eastern Iraqi city of Kut, resulting in a staggering loss of life. Officials have confirmed that at least 61 people, including women and children, have been killed in the inferno that broke out late Wednesday night at the Hyper Mall.
According to Iraq's Interior Ministry, the majority of the victims died from smoke inhalation, with many bodies discovered in bathrooms where they had sought refuge. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that the mall had only been open to the public for about a week.
Emergency crews battled the massive blaze for hours, managing to rescue more than 45 people who were trapped inside the building. However, officials fear the death toll could still rise as rescue teams continue to search the charred remains of the structure for missing people. Eyewitness accounts and videos posted to social media showed the entire building consumed by flames, sending a towering column of black smoke into the night sky.
The governor of Wasit province, Mohammed al-Miyahi, has declared three days of public mourning. He announced that legal action has already been filed against the owners of both the building and the mall. While the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, tragic events like this in Iraq are often linked to inadequate safety standards and poor construction.
Major 7.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Alaska Coast, Prompting Tsunami Warning
In the United States, a powerful and shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck off the coast of the Alaska Peninsula on Wednesday afternoon. The quake, which occurred at approximately 12:37 p.m. local time, was centered about 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of the island town of Sand Point.
The intensity of the tremor immediately triggered a tsunami warning from the National Tsunami Warning Center, covering a 700-mile stretch of the southern Alaskan coastline. Sirens blared in coastal communities like Sand Point, King Cove, and the city of Kodiak, prompting urgent evacuations as residents scrambled to reach higher ground.
Fortunately, the tsunami threat later subsided. The initial warning was downgraded to an advisory before being canceled altogether about two hours after the quake. The largest observed wave was less than three inches high. There have been no reports of significant damage or injuries from the earthquake itself, though some residents reported strong shaking that knocked items off shelves.
The region is part of the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire." Seismologists noted this is the fifth earthquake exceeding magnitude 7.0 to occur in this specific area since 2020, suggesting it is part of an ongoing seismic sequence.
