Briefly

IRAQ

Over 60 killed in shopping mall fire

A fire engulfed a newly opened shopping center in eastern Iraq, killing more than 60 people, including children, Iraqi officials said on Thursday. Civil defense teams rescued more than 45 people who became trapped when the fire broke out late Wednesday in the city of Kut, the Interior Ministry said in a statement. Provincial governor Mohammed Jameel al-Maihy has announced three days of mourning for the victims. He said the cause of the fire was under investigation.