More than 100 wedding guests killed during Iraqi wedding fire

More than 100 wedding guests died in a massive fire during a wedding reception in northern Iraq. The celebration turned into a tragedy as a huge fire broke out in a wedding hall killing around 100 people and injuring 150 others. The bride and groom survived the fire, yet many of their relatives, including the groom’s mother, perished.

The accident occurred in the Hamdaniya area of Iraq’s Nineveh province, which is predominantly Christian, just outside the city of Mosul. Authorities believe that the fire was caused by fireworks set off during the wedding ceremony. The Kurdish television news channel Rudaw aired footage that showed fireworks shooting up from the floor of the event and setting a chandelier on fire.

Flammable building materials also contributed to the fire. Only charred metal and debris were left after the blaze, and people walked through the scene using the light from onlookers’ mobile phones and television cameras. The injured were taken to local hospitals in bandages, and some of the victims, including children, were severely burned. The death toll may still rise, according to authorities.

The tragedy has sparked outrage and grief across the country, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the incident. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has declared three days of national mourning as a sign of respect for the victims.

In addition, the government has promised to compensate the families of those who lost their lives and provide medical treatment for the injured. The incident has also highlighted the need for stricter safety regulations at public events in Iraq, particularly when it comes to the use of fireworks.

Many have taken to social media to express their condolences and show support for those affected by the tragedy. As the country mourns this devastating loss, the hope is that measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Both bride and groom survived the fire, although both suffered minor burns and lost close relatives, a friend of the couple told AFP.

According to the BBC, “The bride lost her whole family – three brothers, all of her uncles and her young cousins. The groom lost his mother,” Jamil al-Jamil said.

The unnamed survivor interviewed by Rudaw said he had more than 20 relatives at the wedding and that some of them were killed.

“I have a friend whose whole family died. He, his children, his mother, his wife, everyone. Many entire families died,” he added. “It’s a human catastrophe, an extermination.”