Tragedy As Fire Strikes Over 100 Wedding Guests In Northern Iraq.
By Caroline Ameh
A wedding celebration in Al-Hamdaniya, located in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province, turned into a horrifying catastrophe as a devastating fire broke out, claiming the lives of over 100 individuals and leaving approximately 150 others injured, according to reports from state media.
The catastrophic incident unfolded late Tuesday evening as hundreds of guests gathered to commemorate the union of a bride and groom. The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, although initial reports suggest fireworks may have triggered the inferno.
Conflicting information initially surrounded the condition of the newlyweds, with Iraqi media reporting their demise. Subsequently, news agency Nina corrected the record, confirming that the bride and groom survived but suffered burn injuries.
Heart-wrenching images shared by Nina and local journalists on social media captured the heroic efforts of firefighters battling the raging flames. Tragically, the presence of flammable materials within the building exacerbated the fire’s rapid spread, leading to sections of the ceiling collapsing.
Iraq’s civil defense directorate commented on the tragedy, remarking, “The fire resulted in parts of the hall collapsing due to the use of highly flammable, cost-effective construction materials that disintegrate within minutes when exposed to fire.”
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing experience, describing how the fire swiftly engulfed the venue. Imad Yohana, who managed to escape, recounted, “We saw the fire pulsating, emanating from the hall. Those who could escape did so, while others became trapped. Even those who made it out were deeply affected.”
Nineveh’s deputy governor, Hassan al-Allaq, confirmed the death toll, which exceeded 100, while Iraq’s state news agency INA reported at least 100 fatalities and 150 injuries. Authorities cautioned that these figures were preliminary and subject to revision.
In the aftermath of the disaster, injured survivors were promptly transported to hospitals across the Nineveh region. In a touching display of solidarity, scores of individuals arrived at Hamdaniya’s primary hospital, located east of Mosul, to donate blood in support of those affected.
Iraq’s Prime Minister took to social media to convey his condolences, vowing to “mobilize all available resources to provide assistance to those impacted by this tragic incident.” The nation grapples with profound grief following the devastating fire at the wedding venue, while investigations into its cause continue.
