Iraq fire: At least 100 killed in blaze at wedding party in Qaraqosh

A devastating fire engulfed a wedding venue in northern Iraq on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 93 lives and leaving 100 others injured, as confirmed by Saad Maan, the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry. The incident occurred in Hamdaniya, a predominantly Christian town located just outside the city of Mosul in northern Iraq, approximately 205 miles northwest of the capital, Baghdad.

According to reports from emergency services and eyewitnesses present at the scene, the fire was ignited by fireworks within the venue. The rapid spread of the fire caught everyone off guard, owing to the highly flammable construction materials, decorations, and curtains adorning the ceiling and walls, as stated by the emergency rescue service in Nineveh province.

Disturbing video footage shared on social media depicted the sudden panic that ensued among the dancing guests in the ballroom as the fire rapidly escalated, prompting individuals, including the bride and groom, to flee for safety. Unfortunately, the approximately 700 individuals inside the building found themselves trapped due to the flames erupting near the main entrance.

A witness recounted the harrowing experience, stating that shortly after the fire broke out, darkness, smoke, and screams caused chaos. People struggled to breathe, falling and trampling over one another. Tragically, part of the ceiling collapsed, resulting in further casualties and injuries.

In response to the devastating incident, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire. He has also requested assistance from the country's interior and health ministries, as stated in an online statement released by his office.

A source within the provincial government in Nineveh informed CBS News that an investigation would be conducted to determine not only the origin of the fire but also the licensing and safety conditions of the venue. The source, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization to address the media, revealed that the owner of the venue is currently in hiding. It is hoped that the individual will be located to face an investigation regarding the legality of operating such an unsafe establishment.

At least one hundred individuals have perished and an additional one hundred and fifty have sustained injuries subsequent to a fire that erupted during a wedding ceremony in Qaraqosh, the largest Christian town in Iraq. The incident occurred while numerous individuals were celebrating in a banqueting hall located in Nineveh province. The cause of the fire remains unknown, although some reports suggest that fireworks may have ignited it. Fire officials have stated that the flames were exacerbated by flammable panels, resulting in sections of the ceiling catching fire and collapsing. Iraq's civil defence directorate, as quoted by the state news agency INA, asserted that the utilization of highly combustible and inexpensive construction materials contributed to the collapse of parts of the hall within minutes of the fire's outbreak. It remains unclear whether the bride and groom were among the victims. Online footage depicts the couple dancing on the dance floor before flaming debris descends upon them. Firefighters were observed searching for survivors amidst the wreckage of the building on Wednesday morning. Eyewitnesses have reported that hundreds of individuals were present in the venue when the fire broke out at approximately 22:45 local time (19:45 GMT) on Tuesday. Imad Yohana, a 34-year-old who managed to escape the inferno, recounted that he witnessed the fire pulsating and emanating from the hall. He stated, "Those who were able to escape did so, while those who were unable became trapped. Even those who managed to exit were severely affected." Rania Waad, another wedding guest who suffered a burn on her hand, disclosed that as the bride and groom were engaged in a slow dance, fireworks began ascending towards the ceiling, subsequently engulfing the entire hall in flames. The 17-year-old informed news agency AFP, "We were unable to see anything. We were suffocating and did not know how to escape." Another survivor lamented the loss of several family members, stating, "When the fire occurred, my mother was in the bathroom. I was unable to locate her afterwards. I searched for my daughter, son, wife, and father, but I could not find them. They are no longer with us."

The President of Iraq made a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which he instructed officials to mobilize all efforts to provide assistance to those affected by the unfortunate incident.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, announced that building inspections would be conducted and safety procedures would be thoroughly examined. The relevant authorities will be held accountable for any negligence that may have occurred.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister declared a period of three days for national mourning.

The exact number of victims is currently uncertain. According to the deputy governor of Nineveh, Hassan al-Allaq, 113 deaths have been confirmed. However, the Red Crescent humanitarian group reported that the total number of dead and injured is nearly 450.

The regional governor stated that the number of casualties may increase.

The injured individuals have been transported to hospitals throughout the Nineveh region. At the main hospital in Qaraqosh, located approximately 15km (9 miles) east of Mosul, numerous individuals arrived to donate blood in order to assist the injured. Qaraqosh is also known as al-Hamdaniya and Bakhdida in Iraq.

A journalist in the city of Erbil, where victims are also receiving treatment, informed the BBC that there is a lack of logistical resources to effectively rescue people. Additionally, Mosul is facing a shortage of ambulances, medical staff, and equipment.

Blesa Shaways added that local officials in Mosul hold the Iraqi government responsible for not addressing the issues with hospitals and the overall healthcare sector in the city following the occupation by the Islamic State group.

Mosul was liberated from three years of Islamic State rule in 2017 after a fierce battle that left the city in ruins.