A devastating fire broke out at a wedding party in Iraq’s Nineveh province, resulting in over 100 fatalities and leaving 150 people injured. Civil defence teams tirelessly searched through the remains of the building in the Hamdaniya district in hopes of finding survivors. The deputy governor of Nineveh, Hassan al-Allaq, confirmed that 113 people had been killed, while state media estimated the death toll to be at least 100. The fire erupted after fireworks were set off during the celebration, causing the flames to quickly spread through the large events hall.
Eyewitnesses described the horrifying scene, with the fire pulsating and engulfing the hall. Many who managed to escape were left with broken spirits as they watched others trapped inside the burning building. The destruction was evident as firefighters climbed over the charred wreckage, using lights to navigate through the smouldering ruins. Preliminary reports suggest that the building’s highly flammable construction materials contributed to its rapid collapse.
Following the incident, ambulances and medical teams were dispatched by Iraqi authorities and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. The fire is said to have started at approximately 10:45 p.m. local time with hundreds of guests in attendance. This tragic event serves as a devastating reminder of the need for strict safety measures during celebratory gatherings to prevent such heartbreaking incidents from occurring in the future.
