Haneen, known in local media as the ‘Hamdaniya bride,’ is engulfed in grief as she bids a tearful farewell to her father, who tragically succumbed to severe burn injuries sustained during her wedding celebrations.
A Tragic Event:
A video circulating online captures the emotional moment when the 18-year-old bride, dressed in black, walks behind her father’s coffin.
Overcome with sorrow, tears stream down her face as she grapples with losing her beloved family members.
Her husband, Revan (27 years old), can be seen trying to comfort and support her during this heart-wrenching moment.
Devastating Losses:
During the wedding celebrations in Hamdaniyah, Nineveh Governorate, northern Iraq, a fierce blaze broke out on September 28, leading to devastating losses.
The bride lost ten family members, including her mother and brother, while Revan lost 15 relatives.
At least 108 people lost their lives in the tragic fire, attributed to “gross negligence” and a lack of safety measures.
Survivors’ Struggles:
Around 150 individuals suffered burns, smoke inhalation, and crush injuries as they panicked and attempted to flee the reception center when the fire erupted.
In an interview with Sky News, Revan expressed the profound grief and shock experienced by the survivors, saying, “Inside we are dead.
We are numb. We are dead inside.” Haneen, still in shock, is unable to speak after losing ten family members, leaving her father hospitalized in intensive care.
Cause of the Fire:
While the blaze was initially attributed to indoor fireworks, Revan suggested that it may have started on the ceiling, possibly due to a short circuit.
He described how the fire quickly spread from the ceiling, made of highly flammable material.
Iraqi civil defense officials have also pointed to the flammable decoration as a potential factor contributing to the rapid spread of the fire and the tragic collapse of the wedding hall building.
This tragic incident has left a community shattered and mourning the loss of loved ones.
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