What was meant to be the happiest day of Haneen and Revan’s lives turned into a tragedy that will haunt them forever. Their wedding in Qaraqosh, a Christian town in Iraq’s Nineveh province, was attended by around 900 guests when a devastating fire broke out at the banquet hall between 10:00 and 10:45 p.m. The flames erupted as the couple shared their first dance, quickly spreading through the ceiling made of nylon and flammable composite panels. Within seconds, the celebration became chaos. Revan recalled hearing crackling sounds before the ceiling began melting. As guests panicked, people trampled over one another in a desperate attempt to escape. Revan dragged his injured wife through the kitchen door, narrowly saving their lives.
The fire claimed over 100 lives and left at least 150 others injured. Haneen lost ten family members, including her mother and brother, while her father was critically hurt. The groom’s father had earlier voiced concerns about fireworks being used indoors, but organizers assured him they were electric and safe. When the fire erupted, a single fire extinguisher failed to work, allowing the flames to consume the ceiling and cause parts of the building to collapse. Authorities later confirmed that the hall’s flammable materials violated safety regulations.
A preliminary investigation found that fireworks likely ignited the blaze. Fourteen people were arrested, including those responsible for the fireworks, as Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani vowed strict accountability and stronger safety inspections for public venues. Traumatized and heartbroken, Haneen and Revan said they could no longer live in their hometown. Revan described their emotional state as “dead inside,” while Haneen has been unable to speak since the tragedy. The couple’s story stands as a devastating reminder of how one moment of celebration can turn into unimaginable loss—and of the dangers of using fireworks indoors.
