At least 100 killed in fire at wedding celebration in northern Iraq

Listen to Article

Click play to start audio

- 150 also injured in incident in Al-Hamdaniya district in Nineveh province

By Bekir Aydogan

ERBIL, Iraq (AA) - At least 100 people died and 150 were injured in a fire at a wedding celebration in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province, according to reports early Wednesday.

The Iraqi News Agency (INA) said the fire, which broke out at Al Haytham Wedding Hall in Al-Hamdaniya district, was caused by fireworks, candles and other materials used during the event.

Fire brigades and ambulances from surrounding provinces were dispatched to area.

Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari also headed to the region.

Footage of the fire breaking out while the bride and groom were dancing was widely circulated on social media, also showing people running left and right in panic.