An inferno at a wedding venue in northern Iraq has killed more than 100 people and 150 injured. This was reported by Iraq state news agency INA.
The fire happened in Hamdaniya district located in the northeast Nineveh governorate. The fire was triggered by candles, fireworks as well as other materials used during the celebrations.
Nineveh governor Najm Al-Jubouri toldINA that the injured were rushed to hospitals in Nineveh as well as the Kurdistan region.
“There is no final count of the deceased and injured yet,” Al-Jubouri said, according to INA.
The videos shared from the scene of the shocking accident show thick smoke coming out at the AI Haytham Wedding Hall with crowds of people and several ambulances gathered outside the venue.
According to eye witness, the bride and groom were safe but shocked.
“The bride and groom are fine. I was just with them now, but their condition is devastating due to what happened to people here,” the eye witnesses told Alawla TV.
The hall where the fire took place was constructed using the flammable ecobond panels which violated the safety standards according to Iraq Civil Defense.
“The fire led to the collapse of parts of the hall as a result of the use of highly flammable, low-cost building materials that collapse within minutes when fire breaks out,” the Civil Defense statement said.
Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani, the Prime Minister, has directed his cabinet to help those affected by the inferno.
The Iraqi Prime Minister called the Nineveh governor by phone to discuss the unfortunate incident and ordered a mobilization of resources to aid the victims.
End
