A joyous occasion turned into a heart-wrenching tragedy for a newlywed couple, Haneen and Ravan, in Iraq. Their wedding venue in Qaraqosh, near Mosul, caught fire, claiming the lives of over 100 guests, including numerous family members.
The cause of the blaze, initially attributed to indoor fireworks, might have been exacerbated by highly flammable building materials. The rapid spread of the fire trapped many, resulting in the devastating death toll. Interior Minister Abdel Amir al-Shammari noted, “Using flammable decoration helped the fire to spread quickly and transformed the hall to a fireball.”
Iraq: Bride and groom survived but they lost everyone they loved. The bride lost all her family, groom lost his mother! The fire resulted in 98 deaths.
— Ali Qasim (@aliqasim) September 29, 2023
Please avoid indoor fireworks and extra risky activities during events, may Allah protect us all. Ameen pic.twitter.com/A781YNELRc
In a poignant interview with Sky News, a devastated Revan shared, “Inside we are dead. We are numb.” His 18-year-old bride, Haneen, still traumatized, lost ten family members, including her mother and brother. Her father is currently in intensive care.
The incident’s severity was further intensified by the fact that the venue was overcrowded, with 900 attendees in a space designed for 400. The building’s owner and three staff members are currently under scrutiny for this oversight.
Furthermore, General Saad Faleh, who is investigating the tragedy, highlighted that Civil Defence had previously flagged the site for its hazardous ceiling, which was due to be replaced by October. A major ignition point for the fire was believed to be fireworks that ignited the ceiling panels and decorations. In an attempt to control the situation, the hall’s electricity was cut, leading to darkness and ensuing chaos.
Public anger has grown over the perceived negligence. Fourteen individuals have been arrested, with four, including the venue’s owner, deemed directly responsible for the deadly fireworks.
As the community mourns, the traumatized couple contemplate leaving their hometown, with Revan stating, “We can’t live here anymore… every time we try to have some happiness, something tragic happens.”