Iraq fire: At least 100 killed in blaze at wedding party in Nineveh

By Mattea Bubalo, BBC News

At least 100 people have died and 150 others injured after a fire broke out at a wedding in northern Iraq, state media has reported.


The bride and the groom are reported to be among the victims, according to local media.


The fire happened in the district of Al-Hamdaniya in Iraq's northern Nineveh province, state news agency INA said.


It is not yet clear what caused the fire, but early reports say it broke out after fireworks were lit.


A photo posted by Iraqi news agency Nina showed firefighters battling the blaze, and pictures from local journalists on social media show the charred-out remains of the event hall.


Flammable panels in the building may have helped ignite the fire, Iraq's civil defence directorate said, quoted by a separate news agency Nina.


Firefighters could be seen climbing over the wreckage of the building in search of survivors in video filmed at the site by a correspondent for news agency Reuters.


Ambulances and medical crews were sent to the site by Iraqi authorities, according to official statements.


Iraq's prime minister has told officials to "mobilize all efforts to provide relief to those affected by the unfortunate incident," his office said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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