A wedding is meant to be a joyous occasion, filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments. But for 18-year-old bride Haneen and 27-year-old groom Revan, their special day became a nightmarish tragedy that left an unimaginable void in their lives.
Instead of celebrating their union with family and friends, they were forced to face a devastating catastrophe—a horrific fire that broke out during their wedding in Iraq’s Nineveh province, claiming the lives of over 100 guests and injuring many more.
Now, struggling to cope with their grief, the couple has broken their silence, expressing their profound sorrow and seeking answers for how such a tragedy could have occurred.
A Celebration Turns Into an Unimaginable Horror
What should have been the happiest night of their lives turned into a scene of chaos and destruction. The newlyweds, along with 900 guests, had gathered at a popular wedding hall in Qaraqosh, near Mosul, to celebrate their union. The night was filled with music, dancing, and joy—until the unthinkable happened.
As guests watched Revan and Haneen’s first dance, an inferno erupted. Flames rapidly spread across the ceiling, consuming the hall within seconds. Guests who were moments ago enjoying the evening found themselves trapped in a nightmare, struggling to escape as the fire engulfed everything in its path.
In a heart-wrenching revelation, a close friend of the couple, Jamil al-Jamil, shared that Haneen lost her entire family—three brothers, all of her uncles, and young cousins. Meanwhile, Revan’s mother was among those who perished.
How the Fire Started—A Disaster Unfolds in Seconds
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but Revan vividly recalls how it all began. Speaking to Sky News, he described a terrifying scene:
“It could have been a short circuit—I don’t know. But the fire started in the ceiling. We felt the heat… When I heard the crackling, I looked up, and the ceiling, which was covered in nylon, started to melt.
“It only took seconds for the fire to spread.”
Reports indicate that a power cut occurred before the couple’s first dance, moments before flames were seen spreading across the hall.
A survivor recovering in the hospital confirmed the sequence of events:
“They were about to do a slow dance, and then they lit up this thing for the dance… That’s when the fire started.”
A Desperate Attempt to Escape the Flames
As the fire raged, Revan instinctively rushed to save his bride.
“I kept dragging her, trying to get her out through the kitchen entrance. But as people were fleeing, they were trampling on her,” he recalled.
Haneen suffered injuries to her legs, a painful reminder of the horrifying struggle for survival.
Authorities later confirmed that the building contained highly flammable materials, which accelerated the spread of the blaze. The fire quickly consumed decorations, fabric panels, and the hall’s structure, leaving no time for many guests to react.
Chaos and Panic—The Desperate Fight for Survival
Guests tried to flee, but many were unable to escape. Witnesses described a scene of absolute chaos, with people suffocating from toxic fumes and struggling to find exits.
One survivor, 19-year-old Martin Idriss, who was working in the kitchen, described the moment disaster struck:
“I thought there had been an explosion. The flames devoured the entire hall in seconds.”
Another guest, 17-year-old Rania Waad, who suffered burns on her hand, explained how the tragedy unfolded:
“As the bride and groom were slow dancing, the fireworks reached the ceiling, and suddenly, the whole hall went up in flames.
“We couldn’t see anything. We were suffocating. We didn’t know how to get out.”
A Lack of Safety Measures Made Matters Worse
In the aftermath of the tragedy, it became evident that critical safety measures were absent.
Revan stated that there was only one fire extinguisher in the hall—and it didn’t work.
A local fire investigator reported that the venue was made of prefabricated panels, which were highly flammable and did not comply with fire safety regulations.
Additionally, authorities revealed that the hall was severely overcrowded.
“The hall had a maximum capacity of 500, but there were nearly twice that number inside,” a government official confirmed.
To make matters worse, the hall had no emergency exits, forcing panicked guests to fight their way through smoke and flames.
Survivors Struggle to Cope—A City in Mourning
The scale of the disaster left entire families devastated. Hospitals were overwhelmed as survivors, many wrapped in bandages, struggled to breathe from smoke inhalation.
The streets outside medical centers were filled with families anxiously waiting for news—some desperately hoping their loved ones had survived, while others were confronted with the worst possible outcome.
Paramedics worked tirelessly, while ambulance sirens echoed through the night, transporting the injured to safety.
Among the dead were children, making the tragedy even more heartbreaking.
Government Response and Arrests
In response to the disaster, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called for an immediate investigation.
Authorities soon arrested 14 individuals, including the wedding hall owner and four people responsible for setting off the fireworks. Some have since been released, while others face serious charges.
Prime Minister al-Sudani made it clear that there would be severe consequences for negligence, stating:
“Those responsible for the failures that led to this tragedy must face the toughest punishments permitted by law.”
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari confirmed that the fire was caused by the use of indoor fireworks, igniting highly flammable ceiling materials.
He also called the fire “an accidental act of God”, a statement that has been met with criticism from families seeking justice.
Experts Warn—This Should Have Been Preventable
Fire safety specialists have strongly condemned the lack of basic fire prevention measures in the wedding hall.
British fire safety expert Arnold Tarling emphasized that the materials used in the venue were dangerously flammable.
“There should be firebreaks in the ceiling and floor. Decorations should not be combustible,” he explained.
“These kinds of fires are completely avoidable. People often bring fireworks to events, but they don’t consider the potential risks.”
The Newlyweds’ Heartbreak—“We Are Dead Inside”
As the days pass, Revan and Haneen continue to struggle with unbearable grief.
“In the fire’s aftermath, we lost everything—our relatives, our friends, our loved ones,” Revan said.
“Inside, we are dead. We are numb. We are broken.”
The couple has made the painful decision to leave their hometown, unable to bear the memories of what was supposed to be their happiest day.
“That’s it. We can’t live here anymore,” Revan stated.
“Every time we try to experience happiness, something destroys it. It’s best for us to leave.”
A Wedding That Became a Nightmare
What should have been a celebration of love turned into one of the deadliest tragedies in Iraq’s recent history.
For Revan and Haneen, there are no words to describe the pain. They are left with unanswered questions and an unimaginable loss that they will carry for the rest of their lives.
“On our wedding night… why did this happen?” Revan asked. “What did we do to deserve this?”