Rabat – What was supposed to be a joyous wedding celebration in Qaraqosh, Iraq, turned into a devastating incident after a fire erupted at the venue, claiming the lives of at least 100 people and injuring at least 150 others.
In light of the tragedy that occurred last night, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani declared a three-day nationwide mourning period to honor the victims of the unfortunate incident.
The wedding reception was taking place at a banqueting hall in the town of Al-Hamdaniya where hundreds of guests were celebrating the union of the couple.
According to eyewitnesses and videos circulating online, fireworks, which were part of the celebration, triggered the fire, causing panic and chaos within the crowded venue.
The intensity of the fire was exacerbated by the presence of flammable panels and “low-cost building materials,” leading to the rapid spread of the flames, according to Iraq’s civil defense directorate.
The fire led to the collapse of portions of the ceiling, adding to the horror and hindering escape efforts.
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Over 600 guests were reportedly present at the wedding ceremony, making it difficult for them to find their way to safety. In addition, converging reports said that the venue had only one exit door, leaving many attendees trapped inside.
Imad Yohana, one of the eyewitnesses who managed to escape, told Reuters: “We saw the fire pulsating, coming out of the hall. Those who managed got out and those who didn’t got stuck.”
Another survivor, Rania Waad, said that the newlyweds were slow dancing when “fireworks started to climb to the ceiling … the whole hall went up in flames.”
