Featured Image Credit: Sky News
Topics: News, World News
Niamh Shackleton
An Iraqi bride and groom's big day was ruined after a devastating fire ended up killing more than 100 of their guests.
Revan, 27, and bride, Haneen, 18, wed on Tuesday, September 26, but their nuptials ended in disaster.
The pair celebrated their wedding at al-Haitham Hall, located in Iraq's northern town of Qaraqosh, with the blaze occurring around 10pm, according to reports.
It was initially thought that the fireworks at their wedding started the fire, but Revan believes the fire somehow started in the venue's ceiling.
They had around 900 guests attend their special day, and over 100 of them died as a result of the fire - Haneen's mother and brother included.
Advert
A further 150 were injured, with Haneen's father currently being in critical condition.
In total, the 18-year-old lost 10 of her relatives, while 15 of Revan's family members died.
Haneen is now unable to speak, according to her groom. He also described them as being 'dead inside'.
Speaking to Sky News, Revan said: "It's true that we're sitting here in front of you alive. But inside we are dead. We are numb. We are dead inside."
Advert
The disaster also means that Revan and Haneen can no longer live in their hometown.
"We can't live here anymore," claimed the groom.
"I mean, every time we try to have some happiness, something tragic happens to us and destroys the happiness. So, it's best for us to leave."
Advert
In regards to how the fire started, Revan says he heard crackling and looked up at the ceiling to see the flames.
Apparently the ceiling was made of nylon and, due to it being flammable, the fire quickly engulfed the ceiling causing large parts of it to fall onto guests.
Revan's father is said to have expressed concerns about the fireworks ahead of their wedding celebrations, to which the venue reassured them that they were electric so shouldn't cause any harm.
In light of the horrific ordeal, the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA) cited the Civil Defence Directorate said that the venue was in violation of safety regulations because the hall was covered in highly flammable metal composite panels.
Advert
"The fire led to the collapse of parts of the hall as a result of the use of highly flammable, low-cost building materials that collapse within minutes when the fire breaks out," the directorate said, as per BBC News.
Prime Minister al-Sudani has since called for those responsible to receive 'the toughest punishments permitted by law for those responsible for negligence or failings that led to this tragic fire'.
The owners of the venue were arrested in the days that followed the heartbreaking tragedy.