In a devastating turn of events, a wedding celebration in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province turned into a horrific nightmare as a raging fire tore through the event hall. Initial reports suggest that fireworks used during the wedding ceremony may have triggered the blaze, resulting in a tragic loss of at least 113 lives and leaving over 150 people injured. The incident has raised questions about the safety measures in place and the use of highly flammable materials in the construction of the hall.
Wedding Fire Tragedy Claims Over a Hundred Lives
The wedding celebration, attended by approximately 1,000 guests, was transformed into a scene of unimaginable horror as flames engulfed the event hall in Iraq’s Hamdaniyah district. The fire was reported to have started at around 10:45 pm local time on Tuesday night, and the authorities were immediately alerted. The fire’s rapid spread and the ensuing chaos led to a devastating loss of life.
Flammable Materials and Lack of Safety Measures Under Scrutiny
Iraqi officials and civil defense authorities have cited flammable materials used in the construction of the event hall as a possible contributing factor to the massive blaze. Furthermore, the absence of proper safety measures, including emergency exits, has come under scrutiny. The civil defense also reported the presence of highly flammable prefabricated panels, which were in violation of safety standards. The danger posed by these unsafe materials was compounded by the release of toxic gases during the fire.
Heartbreaking Scenes Unfold as Guests Desperately Flee Inferno
Images from the aftermath of the fire depict a grim and chaotic scene, with emergency workers navigating through rubble and a collapsed roof. The majority of the injured suffered burns and asphyxiation, with some even caught in crowd crushes as they attempted to escape the blaze. Video clips shared on social media offer a harrowing glimpse into the moments leading up to the disaster.
Kurdish television news channel Rudaw broadcasted a video apparently shot by a guest at the wedding, showing fireworks igniting the ceiling and chandelier. Other footage captured the bride and groom on the dance floor as the fire broke out, leaving their fate uncertain. Â Witnesses on the scene shared their terrifying experiences, shedding light on the chaos and panic that ensued.
Rania Waad, a 17-year-old wedding attendee who sustained a burn to her hand, recounted, “As the bride and groom were slow-dancing, the fireworks started to climb to the ceiling, the whole hall went up in flames. We couldn’t see anything; we were suffocating; we didn’t know how to get out.” The response to this tragedy has been swift, with authorities and medical teams mobilizing to provide aid and support to those affected.
Iraq’s Ministry of Health has dispatched “medical aid trucks” to Nineveh from various provinces. Deputy Governor Hassan al-Allaq confirmed that 113 people have been confirmed dead so far. However, there is a lingering concern that the death toll may rise as the investigation continues.
As the nation mourns the lives lost in this tragic incident, questions surrounding the safety of such events and the use of fireworks during celebrations demand urgent attention.
