In a heart-wrenching incident, at least 100 individuals lost their lives with 150 others injured, after a catastrophic fire erupted during a wedding ceremony in Qaraqosh, Iraq’s most significant Christian town.
The celebratory occasion turned to horror when, as per some accounts, fireworks ignited the flames. Fire officials have pointed to flammable panels that accelerated the blaze, causing sections of the ceiling to ignite and collapse onto the attendees.
Iraq’s civil defence directorate highlighted the use of inexpensive, highly combustible construction materials as a significant factor for the rapid spread of the fire. Current reports remain uncertain if the bride and groom were among the casualties.
A chilling video circulating online displays the joyous couple dancing moments before fiery debris starts raining down, causing chaos and panic among the attendees.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing event, describing the aggressive flames engulfing the hall around 22:45 local time. The survivors spoke of the terrifying ordeal, struggling to breathe and see amidst the smoke, while frantically searching for their loved ones.
Iraq’s prime minister expressed his condolences and called for immediate relief efforts for the affected. While there are conflicting figures regarding the death toll, concerns grow as officials from Nineveh province expect the numbers might rise.
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for stricter safety standards in public spaces in Iraq, where corruption and a lack of accountability have previously led to similar disasters. In 2021, nearly 100 people perished in a hospital fire in Nasiriya, attributed to inadequate safety measures.
