More than 100 killed as fire engulfs Iraq wedding hall

Initial reports stated about 100 casualties in the fire that engulfed a wedding hall located in a primarily Christian neighborhood in Hamdaniya, Iraq.

Published on: Sep 29, 2023 1:21 PM IST

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At least 100 people were killed when a fire ripped through a crowded Iraqi wedding hall, officials said Wednesday, pointing to indoor fireworks as the likely cause for the blaze that sparked a panicked stampede for the exits.  (AFP)

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Iraq's prime minister, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, on Thursday visited injured patients and the families of victims in northern Iraq days after incident.  (REUTERS)

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Earlier, authorities said around 100 people died in the incident, and the death toll is expected to rise further with at least 100 other people still injured, many of them critically burned. (AFP)

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The venue's owners have been accused of violating safety protocols. (REUTERS)

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Funeral processions persisted on Thursday at the Saint Behnam Syriac Catholic Church. A video circulated on both Iraqi media and social platforms, depicting the bride and groom mourning within the crowd.  (REUTERS)

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The Interior Ministry said that highly combustible construction materials played a significant role in the disaster and blamed the owners for disregarding safety and security protocols.  (REUTERS)

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At least 150 people suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and injuries from the stampede, as nearly 900 panicked guests attempted to escape the reception center through its limited exit doors.  (REUTERS)

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The tragedy struck the town of Qaraqosh, a focal point of Iraq's minor Christian community located in the Nineveh Plains near Mosul.  (REUTERS)

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The town, also referred to as Hamdaniyah, currently houses 26,000 Christians, which is half of its original population.  (AP)

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Initial reports and unconfirmed video clips on the internet indicated that flares shot up, creating sparkling flames that set fire to ceiling decorations. This led to the fire spreading rapidly through highly combustible construction materials. (AP)

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People gather at the site of a fatal fire, in the district of Hamdaniya, Nineveh province, Iraq.  (AP)