The mural, titled “Whaling Wall 82,” covered about 17,000 square feet and had been displayed on the building since 1999. Workers began painting over it last month, prompting public backlash and an online petition seeking protection for the artwork.

Filed in federal court in Dallas, the lawsuit claims the mural was destroyed without the artist’s consent or prior notice, violating the U.S. Visual Artists Rights Act, which protects works of recognized stature from destruction.

Wyland argues that organizers “irreversibly destroyed a civic landmark” to promote the 2026 FIFA World Cup. FIFA denied involvement, with a spokesperson saying the organization had “no involvement in this whatsoever.”

Local World Cup organizers have said new artwork is planned to reflect the tournament’s significance, while preserving part of the original mural. Dallas is scheduled to host nine World Cup matches, the most of any host city in the United States.

The building housed a restaurant on the ground floor and a hotel above. Firefighters deployed eight fire engines to contain the blaze and rescued more than 40 people, who were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Authorities said the cause of the fire was not immediately known and an investigation is underway.

Television images showed thick smoke engulfing the building as trapped occupants called for help from windows. Local residents joined emergency crews in rescue efforts, helping evacuate people and carry the injured to safety.

Local media reported that some of those killed were foreign nationals who had traveled to India for medical treatment and were staying in nearby accommodations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced financial assistance of 200,000 rupees ($2,088) for the families of those killed.

The incident is the latest in a series of deadly fires in India, where safety violations and poor enforcement of building regulations remain a recurring concern.

Voters are choosing 16 mayors and provincial governors, along with 14 lawmakers in parliamentary by-elections. Opinion polls indicate Lee’s liberal Democratic Party of Korea is favored to outperform the conservative People Power Party, which remains weakened following the removal and conviction of former president Yoon Suk Yeol over his 2024 martial law declaration.

Political analysts say the elections will show whether Lee’s strong approval ratings, currently above 60%, can translate into long-term political dominance. Particular attention is focused on the closely watched Seoul mayoral race, seen as a major indicator of public sentiment toward the government.

As of noon, voter turnout stood at 19%, according to election officials, with about 44.6 million eligible voters registered nationwide.

The results are also expected to shape the future of South Korea’s conservative opposition, which remains divided between reformists and supporters of Yoon.