In a heart-wrenching incident that unfolded in the district of Hamdaniya, nestled within Iraq’s Nineveh province, more than 100 individuals have tragically perished, and approximately 150 others have been left injured in the aftermath of a fire that erupted during a wedding celebration. This grievous event has sent shockwaves throughout the nation and beyond.
The Nineveh health department, in a somber revelation, confirmed a death toll of 114. Saif al-Badr, the spokesperson for Iraq’s Ministry of Health, had earlier reported 150 people sustaining injuries in the harrowing incident. “All efforts are being made to provide relief to those affected by the unfortunate accident,” al-Badr solemnly stated.
Initial reports from civil defense authorities indicate that fireworks may be the catalyst for this devastating blaze. Footage broadcast by Kurdish television news channel Rudaw depicted fireworks igniting within the event hall, subsequently setting a chandelier ablaze. Other local networks showcased a heart-wrenching scene of the bride and groom on the dancefloor, surrounded by flames as the fire unfolded, leaving their fate uncertain.
Eyewitnesses at the scene conveyed that the fire engulfed the building around 10:45 PM local time, with hundreds of attendees caught within the inferno’s grasp. Tragically, some of those afflicted by burns included children.
One survivor, Rania Waad, who endured burns to her hand, recounted the horrific sequence of events: “As the bride and groom were slow dancing, the fireworks started to climb to the ceiling, the whole hall went up in flames. We couldn’t see anything. We were suffocating, we didn’t know how to get out.”
Imad Yohana, another fortunate survivor, described the chaos: “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.”
A statement from civil defense authorities has highlighted the presence of highly flammable prefabricated panels within the event hall, which flagrantly contravened safety standards. Furthermore, the combustion of these panels released toxic gases, further intensifying the peril. The use of low-cost, flammable construction materials in the hall’s ceiling exacerbated the situation, leading to portions of it collapsing.
In response to this horrific event, ambulances and medical teams from both federal Iraqi authorities and those in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region swiftly mobilized to provide aid and assistance.
Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani has called for an immediate investigation and urged the ministers of health and interior to spearhead rescue efforts to support the victims of this catastrophic fire.
This heart-wrenching incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for safety standards and compliance in construction and event planning. Iraq, with its infrastructure burdened by decades of conflict, has unfortunately witnessed numerous fatal fires and accidents in recent years, underscoring the urgency of addressing these issues.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the victims and their families during this time of immense sorrow.
By Reuters
