At least 100 people have been killed and 150 others injured in a fire at a wedding celebration in northern Iraq, according to the Iraqi state news agency INA. The incident occurred in the Hamdaniya district of northeast Nineveh governorate and was reportedly triggered by fireworks, candles, and other materials used during the wedding ceremony.
Videos from the scene show thick smoke billowing out of the Al Haytham Wedding Hall while crowds and ambulances gather outside. The bride and groom were confirmed to be safe but devastated by the tragedy.
The Iraqi Civil Defense stated that the wedding hall where the fire broke out was covered with highly flammable Ecobond panels, which violated safety instructions requirements. The use of these low-cost building materials resulted in parts of the hall collapsing within minutes of the fire breaking out, according to the Civil Defense.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani has instructed his cabinet to assist those affected by the fire and has ordered a full mobilization to aid the victims. The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq expressed its condolences to the families of those killed and injured, calling the incident an “immense tragedy.”
There is currently no final count of the deceased and injured, but the injured have been transferred to hospitals in Nineveh and the Kurdistan region. The Iraqi government and local authorities are working on providing support and assistance to those affected by this devastating incident.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information becomes available.