Hundreds of people were celebrating a wedding in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province of Qaraqosh when a fire broke out at the venue late on Tuesday evening, the 26th of September, reports BBC.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, but initial reports suggest that it may have started after fireworks were set off. Fire-igniting panels at the venue may have contributed to the rapid spread of flames, causing part of the ceiling to catch fire and collapse. The Iraqi Civil Defence Directorate told the state news agency INA that the construction of the building
used highly flammable and cheap building materials.
A large fire broke out at a wedding in #Iraq
At least 100 people died, more than 150 were injured. According to Al Jazeera with reference to the Iraqi Civil Defense, the cause of the fire was probably fireworks. pic.twitter.com/PqMeDv7912
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) September 27, 2023
Nineveh’s deputy governor, Hassan al-Allaq, told Reuters that 113 deaths had been confirmed, while the state news agency INA reported at least 100 dead and 150 injured. The regional governor has indicated that the wounded have been taken to hospitals throughout the Nineveh region and that
the numbers of wounded and dead may still increase.
Many people came to the main hospital in Qaraqosh to donate blood and help the injured. The Iraqi Prime Minister issued a statement on social media ordering officials to mobilise all forces to provide assistance to the victims of the tragic incident.
Eyewitnesses recounted the heartbreaking scene of hundreds of people attending a celebration when a fire broke out in the building. Imad, who managed to escape, said he saw flames bursting from the hall, some people escaped while others remained trapped. Rania, who sustained burns on her hand, said that as the bride and groom were slow dancing, flames started climbing the ceiling and the entire hall was engulfed in flames. Due to the chaos, people were disoriented and could not find their way out.
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