ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- In a heartbreaking incident in Iraq’s Nineveh Province, a wedding hall in the Hamdaniya area, predominantly inhabited by Christians near Mosul, was engulfed in flames, resulting in the loss of at least 114 lives and leaving around 100 people injured.
The devastating event unfolded on Wednesday, leaving a somber mark on the region.
Television footage captured the horrifying scene as the fire consumed the wedding hall, with civil defense officials reporting the presence of hazardous flammable cladding within the premises.
The aftermath of the fire left behind a haunting sight, with only charred metal and debris remaining. The darkness was pierced by the glow of television cameras and the lights of witnesses’ mobile phones.
Saif al-Badr, a spokesperson for the health ministry, expressed, “All efforts are being made to provide relief to those affected by the unfortunate accident,” as the health department in Nineveh Province confirmed the death toll at 114.
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Injured survivors received medical attention at local hospitals, where they were treated for various degrees of injuries. Family members anxiously gathered at the hospitals to support their loved ones in this trying time.
Iraq authorities issued a stark warning that the death toll might rise as they work to determine the final count of casualties. While the cause of the fire remains undisclosed at this time, preliminary reports from the Kurdish television news channel Rudaw suggested that fireworks at the venue might have triggered the tragic blaze.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani swiftly responded to the calamity, ordering a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
He tasked officials from the interior and health ministries with providing much-needed relief to the affected families and individuals.
