Late on Tuesday night in Qaraqosh district, Nineveh province, a deadly fire broke out where hundreds were celebrating during a wedding in Iraq’s biggest Christian town.
It is not clear yet, but the cause of the fire is believed to be from fireworks.
Flammable panels in the building and low-cost materials may have been the cause of the fire to erupt, causing parts of the ceiling to catch fire and fall.
“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 collapsed within minutes when fire breaks out,” Iraq’s civil defence directorate said as quoted by state news agency INA.
Initially, there were reports that the bride and groom had died. However, they are reportedly in hospital and are being treated for severe burns from the fire.
Yet, at least 100 people have died, and 150 others are injured after the fire broke out.
According to the Iraqi Red Crescent Society’s post on X, the death toll was likely to rise.
Many of those who have been injured have been transferred to hospitals as people donate blood.
Iraq’s president posted on X, that he had told officials to, “mobilise all efforts to provide relief to those affected by the unfortunate incident”.
He also ordered an investigation into the fire that broke out.
Furthermore, nine people who work at the venue have been arrested according to an interior ministry official.
Meanwhile, many people are still searching for their relatives and loved ones.
The inferno left charred bodies.
World leaders from around the world are sending their condolences to the country of Iraq. It has been announced that there will be a three-day national mourning period.
