Safety questioned at fire disaster mall

Two-year-old triplets from New Zealand were among the toddlers who died in the blaze which broke out at about midday.

Four were Spanish citizens living in the small Arab emirate, while a three-year-old French child was also among the victims.

Some of the other victims died as rescuers struggled to reach the child care centre at the Villaggio mall in the capital Doha, according to the minister of state for interior affairs, Sheik Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani.

The cause is under investigation but thick smoke and heat hindered rescue efforts, as did a lack of floor plans and malfunctioning sprinkler systems, the ministry said.

Sheik Abdullah said all buildings in the country abide by safety requirements but a special committee will be set up to monitor standards.

The Villaggio opened in 2006 and is one of Qatar’s most popular shopping and amusement destinations.

Video and photographs taken by shocked crowds and posted online showed firefighters clambering up onto the roof to try to rescue victims.

Four teachers and two civil defence officials were among the dead, the Qatari ministry said on its official Twitter page.

Another 17 people were injured, including four children, according to authorities. Most were rescuers.

New Zealand media named the two-year-old triplets as Lillie, Jackson and Willsher Weekes. Their parents, Jane and Martin Weekes, previously lived in Wellington.

The children’s grandmother, Jo Turner, said: “Our daughter rang. What can you say? It’s absolutely devastating.” Ms Turner said her daughter had lived in Qatar for about five years.