SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — A wedding celebration in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province turned into a horrifying tragedy when a fire broke out, claiming the lives of at least 114 people and injuring 400 more. The incident occurred at the Al Haytham Wedding Hall in Al-Hamdaniya district, sending shockwaves through the country.
Ahmed Hamdani, deputy director of Nineveh health directorate, confirmed the devastating toll. Approximately 800 people were in attendance when the fire erupted, creating a chaotic and challenging situation for first responders.
The cause of the fire is believed to be fireworks, candles, and other flammable materials used during the event, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Heartbreaking footage of the incident, including the moment the fire broke out while the bride and groom were dancing, circulated widely on social media.
BREAKING: Fire breaks out at wedding hall in northern Iraq, killing at least 100 people – INA pic.twitter.com/DJF58pKk4q
— Insider Corner (@insiderscorner) September 26, 2023
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani contacted the governor of Nineveh following the incident and has instructed the Ministers of Interior and Health to coordinate relief efforts for those affected.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has extended his “deepest condolences” to the victims’ families following the accident. He wished a speedy recovery to the injured and assures them of support during this difficult time.
پرسه و سه‌ره‌خۆشى و هاوسۆزى و هاوخه‌ميى قووڵم پێشكه‌ش به خێزان و كه‌سوكارى ئه‌و قوربانييانه ده‌كه‌م كه شه‌وى ڕابردوو له ڕووداوێكى دڵته‌زێندا له هۆڵێكى بۆنه‌كان له قه‌زاى حه‌مدانييه، گيانيان له‌ده‌ستدا و بريندار بوون.
له خواى مه‌زن داواكارين گيانى قوربانييان به به‌زه‌يى…
— Nechirvan Barzani (@IKRPresident) September 27, 2023
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced a three-day period of mourning across Iraq in honor of the victims tragically lost in the incident.
