At least 93 people have tragically lost their lives and 101 others have been injured in a devastating fire that broke out during a wedding in Qaraqosh, Iraq’s largest Christian town, on Tuesday night. The incident occurred at a banqueting hall in Nineveh province, where hundreds of people were gathered to celebrate the joyous occasion.
Eyewitnesses and civil defense officials have reported that the fire was ignited by fireworks that were set off as the bride and groom were dancing. The blaze quickly engulfed the hall due to the highly flammable metal and plastic composite panels that covered the building, intensifying the flames. It has been reported that several witnesses said entire families were among the victims of the fire.
In response to the tragedy, security forces have apprehended nine staff members of the venue, as well as the owner, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the funerals of over 40 victims were held at a cemetery in Qaraqosh, where mourners carried portraits of their loved ones who perished in the fire.
Initially, there were reports that both the bride and groom had also lost their lives; however, it has since been confirmed by civil defense officials that they both survived the incident.
Disturbing footage posted online depicts the couple on the dancefloor as flaming debris starts falling from the ceiling. Another video captured moments before the fire shows four large fountain fireworks being ignited, followed by a nearby ceiling decoration being consumed by flames.
Survivors of the fire have shared their harrowing experiences. Rania Waad, a wedding guest who suffered burns to her hand, recalled that as the couple was slow dancing, the fireworks began climbing towards the ceiling, leading to the entire hall being engulfed in flames. Another survivor, Imad Yohana, described the fire pulsating and coming out of the hall, leaving those who managed to escape broken. One survivor also shared the tragic news that several members of his family were among the victims, including his mother, whom he could not find after the incident.
According to the deputy governor of Nineveh, Hassan al-Allaq, the death toll has reached 113, contradicting earlier reports. The injured individuals have been taken to hospitals across Nineveh and the neighboring Kurdistan Region, including the city of Mosul. However, reports suggest that the healthcare facilities and medical equipment in Mosul were inadequate for the scale of the emergency, exacerbating the challenges faced in treating the injured.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the fire was caused by the fireworks, leading to the heavy roof collapsing on the attendees. Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari stated that the venue lacked the necessary safety and security specifications, vowing that those responsible for the tragedy would face punishment.
The use of highly flammable metal composite panels to cover the hall, which are prohibited in Iraq, has also come under scrutiny. The Civil Defense Directorate highlighted that such panels collapse within minutes of a fire breakout and release toxic gases, exacerbating the severity of fires.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has pledged to conduct building inspections and scrutinize safety procedures, holding accountable any authorities found to be negligent in their duties. This tragic incident once again sheds light on the corruption and mismanagement prevalent in Iraq, where accountability is often lacking.
In 2021, a lack of safety measures contributed to the deaths of almost 100 individuals in a fire at a hospital in Nasiriya, highlighting the need for urgent improvements in safety protocols across the country.
Qaraqosh, also known as al-Hamdaniya and Bakhdida, was once home to approximately 50,000 people, mainly Assyrian Christians until it was overrun by the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) in 2014. During their occupation, IS militants committed numerous atrocities against the Christians who remained, desecrating churches, and burning hundreds of homes. The city was later recaptured by Iraqi and US-led coalition forces in 2016, but only about half of its residents have since returned, and many of the destroyed homes have yet to be reconstructed.