A devastating incident occurred on Tuesday night in northern Iraq, where a blazing fire engulfed a crowded wedding hall, resulting in the tragic loss of over 100 lives. This incident took place in a Christian town that had previously endured the occupation of the Islamic State. In response to the calamity, authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Throughout Wednesday morning, firefighters diligently searched the burnt-out remains of the building located in Qaraqosh, also referred to as Hamdaniya. Meanwhile, grieving family members gathered outside a morgue in the nearby city of Mosul, expressing their anguish through wails and inconsolable distress.
One deeply devastated mother, Mariam Khedr, tearfully shared her heartbreaking experience, describing the wedding as an absolute nightmare. She anxiously awaited the return of her daughter Rana Yakoub, aged 27, and her three young grandchildren, the youngest among them just eight months old.
According to survivors, the wedding celebration, which followed a prior church service, was attended by hundreds of people. Tragically, the fire erupted approximately an hour into the event when flares ignited a decorative ceiling as the newlywed couple joyfully danced.
According to Hassan al-Allaf, the Deputy Governor of Nineveh province, the confirmed death toll from the incident stands at 113 individuals. However, the head of the Red Crescent branch in the province indicated that the final number of casualties is yet to be determined but is expected to surpass several hundred injuries and dozens of deaths.
State media quoted Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari as stating that the fire originated in a large events hall after flares were ignited during the festivities. The fire then spread to the ceiling, resulting in a catastrophic blaze.
A video circulating on social media, though not verified by Reuters at this point, appeared to capture the moment when the flares ignited and set ablaze a dazzling ceiling decoration, leading to an abrupt change from excitement to panic.
Another unverified video obtained by Reuters depicted a couple dancing in wedding attire while burning material descended onto the floor.
According to state media, the Interior Ministry has issued four arrest warrants for the owners of the wedding hall, while President Abdul Latif Rashid has called for an investigation to be carried out.
Imad Yohana, a 34-year-old who managed to escape the inferno, described witnessing the fire emanating from the hall, leaving those who couldn’t escape trapped inside. Video footage captured by a Reuters correspondent revealed firefighters navigating through the burnt remnants of the structure, using lights to survey the smoldering ruins.
State media reported that the initial findings suggest the building was constructed using highly combustible materials, which contributed to its rapid collapse.
Eyewitnesses at the scene confirm that the fire started at approximately 10:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT). Expressing her grief, one woman mourned the loss of her daughter, son-in-law, and 3-year-old grandchild, all of whom perished in the fire.
Standing outside the morgue, where bags containing the bodies were placed, she spoke of her profound sorrow as vehicles arrived to collect the identified victims.
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