Fireworks spark deadly inferno at overcrowded wedding hall in Iraq
A government investigation into a fire that killed more than 100 people at a wedding hall in northern Iraq has concluded that the tragedy was caused by “gross negligence” and a lack of safety measures.
The fire broke out on Tuesday night in the town of Hamdaniya, also known as Qaraqosh, in the Nineveh province, where a large crowd of people had gathered to celebrate a wedding. According to the investigation results, announced on Sunday by Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari, the owner of the hall and three other staff members had allowed 900 people into the venue when it was designed for a maximum of 400.
The investigation also found that the fire was sparked by indoor fireworks that ignited flammable decorations on the ceiling, which quickly engulfed the hall in flames. “The fire was accidental and unintentional and occurred due to gross negligence,” the investigation findings said. “Using flammable decoration helped the fire to spread quickly and transformed the hall to a fireball,” Shammari said.
The blaze trapped people inside the wedding hall and rescue teams struggled to reach them because exit doors were few and small, Shammari said. At least 150 people were injured in the fire, suffering from burns, smoke inhalation, and crush injuries when trying to flee the scene.
Hamdaniya is home to 26,000 Christians and is one of the main centers of Iraq’s Christian community. The town was liberated from the ISIS group in 2016 after being occupied by the militants for two years. Many residents had returned to rebuild their lives after the war.
Legal Actions Against Local Officials
The investigation recommended that legal action should be taken against local officials for failing to enforce safety regulations and prevent such disasters. The investigation also proposed that the government should provide financial support to the families of the dead and injured.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani visited victims of the blaze at two local hospitals on Thursday and pledged to hold those responsible to account. “We will not allow anyone to escape punishment,” he said.
At least 14 people, including the owner of the hall, 10 employees, and three people suspected of setting off fireworks, were arrested by authorities. The interior minister said that one of the suspects had confessed to his involvement in the incident.
The fire was the deadliest in Iraq since a massive explosion at a Baghdad market in July killed more than 200 people. That blast was claimed by IS, which has been waging a guerrilla war against Iraqi forces since losing its territorial control in 2017.
The wedding fire has shocked and saddened Iraqis, who have been suffering from years of violence, instability, and corruption. Many people expressed their condolences and solidarity with the victims and their families on social media, calling for justice and accountability.
