BAGHDAD - Around 50 people were killed in a massive fire at a hypermarket in Kut, the capital city of Iraq's Wasit province, the regional governor said Thursday.

"We have lost about 50 people, including men, women and children, in a tragic fire at the hypermarket," wrote Provincial Governor Mohammed Jameel al-Maihy on his Facebook page.

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Al-Maihy declared three days of mourning for the victims of the fire.

"We will not be lenient with anyone, directly or indirectly, responsible for this incident, which is not without suspicious circumstances. We will announce the preliminary investigation results to the public within 48 hours," he noted.