An otherwise happy event turned sour when a devastating fire broke out at a wedding in Al-Hamdaniya in northern Iraq’s Nineveh province, leading to the deaths of at least 100 people with about 150 others injured.
The incident occurred while hundreds of people were celebrating at the venue. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, although early reports suggest it may have been sparked by fireworks.
The highly flammable building materials used in the venue’s construction contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, causing parts of the ceiling to collapse.
While some guests managed to escape, many were trapped inside the burning hall.
It’s not clear whether the bride and groom were among the victims, but conflicting reports suggest their fate.
Firefighters battled the blaze, and rescuers searched through the rubble for survivors. The injured have been transported to hospitals across the Nineveh region, but the death toll may still rise.
In the interim, Iraq’s prime minister has called for all efforts to provide relief to those affected by the tragic incident.
On Friday 8 April this year, a wedding reception was brought to an unexpected halt after a fire broke out at the Yard 158 event centre in Oregun, Lagos.
The reception was in full swing when things took a nasty turn while toast was being proposed.
As event organizers lit firecrackers, the flames quickly spread to the decorations that adorned the hall.
Despite the best efforts of the guests to extinguish the flames, the fire rapidly spread and soon engulfed the venue.
However, all the guests managed to escape the blaze unharmed.
The extent of the damage is yet to be ascertained.
Nevertheless, authorities are currently investigating the incident to uncover what may have led to the unfortunate occurrence.
Speaking on the incident, Yard 158 management said: “We thank God that no life was lost in the inferno, and we are currently investigating the cause of the fire outbreak.”
BBC /Nigerian Tribune
