Doha: As many as 19 people including 13 children were killed in a major fire that erupted at the Villaggio Mall, one of the major and popular shopping malls of Qatar on May 28, Monday afternoon. Seventeen others, most of them from the rescue team sustained injuries in the fire.

According to reports, the dead include four teachers and two civil defence officials. The cause of the fire is not yet known. The mall which was opened in 2006 is visited by a large number of tourists and the ice skating rink and indoor Venice style gondola rides at this mall have been the main attractions for tourists.

The Villaggio opened in 2006 and is one of Qatar’s most popular shopping and amusement destinations. It includes an ice skating rink and indoor Venice-style gondola rides.