Malians’ Losses in Millions After Fire Razes Major Market

One of Mali’s major markets, Sougounicoura, was engulfed in flames on Sunday night, destroying goods worth millions of CFA francs.

Eyewitnesses say the market became unrecognizable after the heavy destruction to its infrastructure.

Reports indicate the first flames were spotted shortly after midnight in the Medina Coura district. Within minutes, the fire spread rapidly through the tightly packed stalls, consuming stocks of food, clothing, and household goods. Fortunately, no deaths were reported.

Firefighters responded quickly and managed to control the blaze before it spread to other areas of the market.

Sougounicoura is one of Mali’s busiest markets, attracting hundreds of vendors and thousands of customers daily. 

The damage, amounting to millions of CFA francs, comes just days before the start of Ramadan, a period of high consumption. Many traders had built up significant stocks, often acquired on credit, and their destruction now threatens family incomes already weakened by a tense economic climate.

While the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, local observers regularly cite factors such as outdated electrical installations, informal connections, the high density of stalls, and a lack of adequate firefighting equipment.