VIDEO: No Fewer Than 133 Killed, Over 150 Injured As Fire Engulfs Wedding Party In Iraq

A tragic incident occurred in the northern Iraqi town of Qaraqosh, where a fire broke out during a wedding at an event hall, resulting in a devastating toll.

At least 133 people lost their lives in the fire, with over 150 individuals sustaining injuries.The fire led to a chaotic scene at the main hospital in the predominantly Christian town, with ambulances rushing in, people donating blood, and refrigerated trucks filled with black body bags.Iraq’s official INA news agency reported a “preliminary tally” of 100 fatalities and over 150 injured in the fire, which occurred at a marriage hall in Hamdaniyah.

Most of the injured suffered from burns or oxygen deprivation, and there were crowd crushes in the overcrowded reception hall.The Iraqi Red Crescent recorded over 450 casualties but couldn’t provide a breakdown of fatalities.Civil defense authorities noted the presence of highly flammable prefabricated panels inside the event hall, which didn’t meet safety standards. Toxic gases from these panels contributed to the danger, and the use of low-cost, flammable construction materials also worsened the situation.