Iraqi provinces reinforce fire safety after Wasit tragedy

Shafaq News – Baghdad (Updated at 11:55 p.m.)

On Thursday, several Iraqi provinces rolled out new fire safety measures to prevent future tragedies, following the deadly blaze in Wasit.

Baghdad Operations Command ordered the immediate implementation of precautionary protocols to mitigate fire risks amid soaring temperatures, urging the public to reduce electrical overloads.

To enforce these guidelines, inspection teams were deployed to malls, hospitals, fuel stations, and other public sites to assess fire safety compliance.

In Maysan, provincial police directed the closure of all commercial establishments that fail to meet minimum fire safety standards, including restaurants, cafes, and shopping centers.

Dhi Qar Governor Mortada al-Ibrahimi also instructed Civil Defense units in the province to immediately inspect crowded public venues, where businesses operating without proper fire safety certification will face penalties or closure until they comply.

Meanwhile, in al-Diwaniyah, nine commercial buildings were shut down after being found in violation of safety regulations. A security source told Shafaq News that Civil Defense teams conducted the closures under the supervision of a special committee formed in response to the Wasit tragedy.

Civil Defense teams in Nineveh, according to a source, launched broad inspection campaigns across public areas in coordination with security forces to verify fire safety readiness.

In Babil, the Civil Defense Directorate began shuttering all projects that violate safety regulations. Governor Adnan Fayhan al-Dulaimi directed authorities to take all necessary precautions to prevent a repeat of the Wasit disaster.

Diyala Governor Adnan al-Shammari ordered renewed field inspections across public and private institutions, emphasizing the need for fully equipped emergency exits and legal consequences for violators.

In Basra, Police Chief Maj. Gen. Latif Abdul-Reda instructed the Civil Defense Directorate to form four monitoring committees and ensure that all fire trucks and emergency teams remain on high alert for rapid response.

Karbala authorities also intensified preventive inspections, focusing on high-traffic venues. Non-compliant sites were promptly closed pending full adherence to safety standards.

The measures follow a catastrophic fire that tore through a shopping complex in Kut, killing more than 60 people, including women and children. The flames trapped many victims before rescue teams could reach them.