In a heartbreaking tragedy that unfolded during a wedding party in Iraq's Nineveh province, a devastating fire outbreak claimed the lives of more than 100 individuals, including the bride and groom, while leaving approximately 150 others injured. The incident prompted an extensive rescue operation as responders scoured the charred remains of the building well into the early hours of Wednesday.
Nineveh Deputy Governor Hassan al-Allaq officially confirmed the loss of 113 lives, a toll that reflects the severity of the situation. State media sources also reported a death toll exceeding 100, with an additional 150 people sustaining injuries in the tragic event.
The fire erupted within a spacious events hall located in the northeastern region. It was triggered by fireworks that were ignited during the celebratory gathering, according to statements from local civil defense as reported by state media.
"We saw the fire pulsating, coming out of the hall. Those who managed to escape did so, but unfortunately, many were trapped inside. Even those who made it out were deeply affected by the ordeal," recounted Imad Yohana, a 34-year-old survivor who witnessed the inferno's horror.
Video footage captured by a Reuters correspondent on-site depicted firefighters navigating the charred debris of the building, their efforts illuminated by the glow of smoldering remnants.
Initial assessments suggested that the building's construction materials were highly flammable, a factor that likely contributed to the rapid and catastrophic collapse of the structure, as reported by state media.
Both federal Iraqi authorities and the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region swiftly dispatched ambulances and medical teams to the scene, as confirmed in official statements.
Eyewitnesses present at the location recounted that the fire engulfed the building around 10:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT), with hundreds of individuals in attendance at the ill-fated moment.
