A government investigation into the deadly fire that engulfed a crowded wedding hall in a northern Iraqi town, resulting in the deaths of over 100 people, has attributed the tragedy to “gross negligence” and the absence of safety measures, according to the investigation findings announced by interior minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari during a news conference on Sunday.
The investigation report revealed that the hall’s owner and three staff members allowed entry to 900 individuals, exceeding the venue’s maximum capacity of 400 individuals.
The investigation findings stated, “The fire was accidental and unintentional and occurred due to gross negligence.”
According to Shammari, “The use of flammable decoration enabled the fire to rapidly spread, turning the hall into a fireball.”
Due to the limited number and size of exit doors, rescue teams encountered significant difficulty in reaching those trapped inside the wedding hall, further exacerbating the situation.
The fire took place in the Christian town of Hamdaniya, also known as Qaraqosh, resulting in at least 150 people sustaining injuries.
The interior minister confirmed a death toll of 107, adding that the investigation panel had recommended that the government offer financial aid to the families of the deceased and injured individuals.
The investigation report also proposed taking legal action against local officials.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani visited the fire victims at two local hospitals on Thursday and pledged to hold those accountable for the incident responsible.
(Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed. Editing by Jane Merriman)
Credit: The Star : News Feed
