Watan – Social media activists have shared heart-wrenching footage capturing moments leading up to the catastrophic fire at the Al-Hamadaniya wedding hall in the Nineveh Plains region of Iraq. This tragic incident resulted in the death of at least 100 individuals and left more than 150 others injured, according to the latest official statement from Iraqi authorities.
Shared videos show the wedding hall suddenly catching fire from above, with flames quickly engulfing the guests below. It seems the fire started from fireworks on the ground that accidentally reached the ceiling, causing the rapid spread of the blaze.
Al-Hamadaniya Fire Tragedy
Initial findings indicate the hall wasn’t built to safety standards. It was constructed with easily flammable materials like foam, which caught fire in no time.
One particularly chilling video captures the flames raining down on the guests, including the bride and groom, turning a celebration into a horrifying scene.
Following this tragic event, Iraq’s Prime Minister, Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani, announced a three-day national mourning. Additionally, President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid is pushing for a thorough investigation into the fire’s cause.
Early information indicates that the use of fireworks ignited the flames inside the hall, which then spread rapidly. The Iraqi Minister of Health confirmed to Al Jazeera the formation of a crisis cell working around the clock regarding the Al-Hamadaniya fire. The Sunni Endowment Office has also directed the cancellation of all Mawlid al-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad’s birthday) celebrations in mourning for the victims of Al-Hamadaniya.