A devastating fire tore through a wedding celebration in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province, claiming the lives of at least 113 people and leaving more than 150 others injured. The tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday night when a blaze erupted in an event hall in the Hamdaniyah district, located outside the city of Mosul.
Nineveh Deputy Governor Hassan al-Allaq confirmed the grim death toll, but provincial governor Najim al-Jubouri cautioned that the numbers could rise as authorities continue to assess the situation. The fire, which started around 22.45 local time, cast a dark shadow over what should have been a joyous occasion.
The cause of the fire is believed to be fireworks used during the celebration, a common feature of wedding festivities in Iraq. Preliminary reports from Iraq’s civil defence authorities suggest that these fireworks ignited the inferno, turning the event hall into a blazing inferno.
Further exacerbating the tragedy was the flammable material used in the construction of the event hall, which is suspected to have fuelled the rapid spread of the fire. It has also come to light that the building lacked proper safety measures, including emergency exits. Prefabricated panels at the venue were identified as “highly flammable” and in violation of safety standards.
Images captured in the aftermath of the fire depict a scene of devastation, with emergency responders navigating through rubble and a collapsed roof adorned with twisted and charred metal. The ferocity of the blaze caused parts of the ceiling to collapse.
Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and called upon the Interior and Health officials to provide immediate relief to the victims and their families. This tragedy has sent shockwaves across the country, prompting an outpouring of grief and condolences.
Iraq’s Ministry of Health has dispatched “medical aid trucks” from various provinces, including Baghdad, to provide assistance to the victims and aid in the recovery efforts.
