A devastating tragedy unfolded in Iraq’s Nineveh province, specifically in Hamdaniya district, when a fire erupted at a wedding party, leaving more than 100 people dead and 150 others injured. The incident unfolded during a joyous celebration, transforming it into a nightmarish catastrophe.
According to Nineveh Deputy Governor Hassan al-Allaq, the confirmed death toll stands at 113, while state media reports suggest that at least 100 individuals have lost their lives in this heart-wrenching event. A further 150 people suffered injuries of varying degrees.
The catastrophic fire engulfed a sprawling events hall in the north-eastern region of Iraq, and early indications suggest that fireworks lit during the celebration may have sparked the inferno. Local civil defense authorities swiftly responded to the emergency, but the ferocity of the blaze made rescue efforts exceedingly challenging.
Imad Yohana, a 34-year-old who managed to escape the horrific scene, recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating, “We saw the fire pulsating, coming out of the hall. Those who managed got out and those who didn’t got stuck. Even those who made their way out were broken.”
Distressing video footage captured by a Reuters correspondent at the site depicts firefighters desperately navigating through the charred remnants of the building while shining lights on the smoldering ruins. Preliminary reports indicate that the structure may have been constructed using highly flammable materials, potentially contributing to its rapid collapse.
In response to the disaster, ambulances and medical teams were swiftly dispatched to the scene by federal Iraqi authorities and Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. Eyewitnesses present during the incident reported that the fire broke out at approximately 10:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT), with hundreds of people in attendance at the ill-fated celebration.
As Iraq mourns the loss of lives in this tragic event, investigations will be launched to determine the exact cause of the fire and whether any safety regulations were violated. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families affected by this devastating incident, as the nation comes to terms with the scale of this heartrending disaster.
