The bride says she still hears the music stopping. One moment the wedding hall was filled with laughter, dancing, and raised glasses. The next, flames tore through the venue, trapping hundreds of guests inside as panic replaced celebration.
The fire broke out late into the reception, spreading with terrifying speed. Survivors describe thick black smoke, collapsing ceilings, and exits that became impossible to reach within minutes. By the time emergency crews arrived, the building was already an inferno.
More than 100 guests were killed, making it one of the deadliest wedding-related disasters in recent memory. Many victims were relatives, childhood friends, and neighbors who had traveled long distances to celebrate what was meant to be a joyful beginning.
In their first public statement since the tragedy, the bride and groom said they are “completely broken” by what happened. They described surviving the fire only because they were momentarily separated from the densest part of the crowd when flames erupted.
“We walked into our wedding with full hearts,” the groom said. “We walked out knowing our lives will never be the same.” The couple said they are struggling with guilt for surviving when so many loved ones did not.
Authorities say preliminary findings suggest the fire was fueled by flammable decorative materials and inadequate safety systems. Investigators are now examining whether the venue violated fire codes, echoing concerns raised in previous mass-casualty fires where overcrowding and locked exits proved fatal.
Several survivors reported that pyrotechnics or electrical equipment may have ignited the blaze, though officials cautioned that the exact cause has not been confirmed. Video footage circulating online shows flames racing across the ceiling in seconds, leaving guests with almost no time to escape.
The bride said she remembers calling out names while being pulled outside by strangers. “I kept asking where my family was,” she said. “No one had answers.” Many victims were later identified through personal items recovered from the wreckage.
Hospitals were overwhelmed as injured guests arrived with severe burns, smoke inhalation, and crush injuries. Doctors described scenes of chaos as families searched for missing relatives, a pattern tragically familiar in large-scale burn disasters.
The couple confirmed that several members of their immediate families were among the dead. Funerals are now being planned alongside memorials, an unthinkable overlap that has left the community in collective shock.
Local officials declared days of mourning as investigators sealed off the site. Prosecutors announced that criminal charges could follow if negligence is confirmed, pointing to similar cases where venue owners faced prosecution after fatal fires.
Survivors have begun sharing accounts that suggest exits were blocked or insufficient for the number of guests present. Some said they were forced to break windows or tear through walls to escape, while others never made it out.
The bride and groom said they do not want their wedding remembered only for tragedy, but they also refuse to let the deaths be ignored. They are calling for accountability and stronger safety enforcement so no other family endures what they are living through.
“This should never happen anywhere,” the bride said. “A celebration should not turn into a grave.” She urged authorities to prioritize inspections, capacity limits, and emergency preparedness for event venues.
Grief counselors and volunteers have flooded the area, helping families navigate loss on a scale rarely seen. Community leaders say the psychological toll will last for years, especially for children who lost parents and grandparents in the fire.
As the investigation continues, the couple said they are postponing any future celebrations indefinitely. Their focus now is supporting victims’ families and honoring those who never made it home.
What was meant to mark the start of a life together has instead become a symbol of catastrophic failure — of safety systems, oversight, and responsibility. And for those left behind, the memories of that night will forever be split between joy and unbearable loss.