Source: CCTV News Client
On October 1, local time, the Iraqi government issued an investigation report, pointing out that "gross negligence" and "lack of safety measures" led to a major fire accident at a wedding in Nineveh governorate on September 26.
△On September 26, local time, a fire broke out at a wedding in Nineveh Province, and the fire engulfed the wedding hall.
Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Shamari said at a press conference in Baghdad on the same day that the wedding fire in Hamdaniyah town in Nineveh province killed 107 people and injured at least 150.
According to the investigation report, the owners and staff of the wedding hall ignored the 400-person venue capacity limit and allowed 900 people to enter. "The fire was accidental and unintentional, and occurred as a result of gross negligence."
△Firefighters at the scene of the fire
Shamari said the use of flammable decorative materials caused the fire to spread rapidly, people were trapped in halls, exits were few and small, and rescuers were unable to effectively rescue them.
After the incident, Iraqi President Abdullatif Jamal Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Sudani demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. Shamali established a commission of inquiry on 27 September.
△ At the funeral of the wedding fire victim, a woman could not hide her sadness.
The Commission of Inquiry has recommended that the Government provide financial support to the families of the dead and injured and take legal action against the officials involved. In the past few days, several officials have been dismissed and several others arrested.
Evidence experts and civil protection authorities have confirmed that the use of highly flammable building materials in the wedding hall of the incident, the lack of corresponding safety measures, and the fireworks set off during the wedding, which led to the fire.