A wedding in Qaraqosh, Iraq, turned tragic when a fire broke out, killing over 100 guests and injuring at least 150. Newlyweds Haneen and Revan recalled the horrifying moment, saying, “We felt the heat… When I heard the crackling I looked at the ceiling. Then the ceiling, which was all nylon, started to melt. It only took seconds.”

The fire reportedly started while the couple was dancing, with initial reports blaming fireworks. However, Revan suspects a short circuit. His father had previously warned about fire risks, but the hall’s owners insisted the fireworks were safe. As panic ensued, people screamed and ran. “I grabbed my wife and I began to drag her… People were trampling on her,” Revan said. Attendees claim fire extinguishers were inadequate, and emergency responders arrived late.

Bride Haneen lost 10 family members, including her mother and brother. “That’s it, we can’t live here anymore… Inside, we are dead,” Revan stated. Authorities arrested 14 people and vowed stricter safety regulations. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani demanded “the toughest punishments permitted by law” for those responsible.