Tragic Fire at an Iraqi Wedding: A Result of Gross Negligence and Disregard for Safety Standards

TIMESINDONESIA, LAHORE – On the night of September 26, 2023, the usual merriment of a wedding turned into a nightmarish spectacle when a fire erupted at the Al Haytham Wedding Hall in Qaraqosh, Al-Hamdaniya District, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. Pyrotechnic flares struck the ceiling, igniting decorations and triggering a fire that ultimately claimed the lives of 119 people, with at least 150 more injured.

Qaraqosh, once captured by the Islamic State in 2014 and freed only in 2016 by US-backed Iraqi forces, has seen its share of turmoil and tragedy. It is a town still grappling with heavy damage and a mass displacement of its people that dates back to its past struggles. Throughout Iraq, there's an alarming history of accidents phrased off as results of lax public safety regulations. The fire at this wedding hall is unfortunately the latest addition to a list that includes a hospital fire in Baghdad in 2021 and the sinking of a ferry near Mosul in 2019.

Advertisement

Alongside the grief and mourning, the incident sparks outrage and begs the question - is this tragedy a result of recurrent lack of safety measures and gross negligence?

The eyewitnesses' recount of the incident sheds a chilling light on the negligent practices that turned the wedding into a deathtrap. An estimated 1,000 people were present in the hall when a seemingly harmless tradition of fireworks sparked a large-scale fire. Flammable materials on the tables and suspended decorations were quickly set ablaze by sparks from the pyrotechnics. Video footage confirms the terrifying progression of the fire. Amidst the chaos, fire extinguishers were nowhere to be found, instigating widespread panic. In a desperate attempt to evacuate the trapped guests, a bulldozer was used to tear down parts of the wall.

The rapid rise in casualty figures was a further testament to the inadequate emergency and medical facilities on the ground. Many victims required DNA identification due to severe burns. The survivors, many burnt severely, were confronted with an ill-equipped medical infrastructure struggling to cope with the catastrophe.

This horrifying inferno set off a whirlwind of investigations, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani promising the formation of an investigative committee, while also urging intensified building inspections and verification of safety measures.

The grim narrative of negligence only grows stronger as the investigation proceeded. The wedding hall's exterior was found plastered with a highly flammable, low-cost type of "sandwich panel" cladding previously implicated in the 2021 Baghdad hospital fire. It seems the same banned material continues to be used, compromising safety for construction costs.

In response to this tragedy, security forces detained ten staff, the hall's owner, and the individuals responsible for the fireworks. As the country mourned the loss of life on a national level, devastated local communities and victims’ families demanded further action against corruption and lax public safety practices.

A wave of condemnation halted at blaming "gross negligence" for the ghastly episode. It was revealed that the venue was crammed with over double its capacity, demonstrating a blatant disregard for even the most basic of safety measures. Moreover, the absence of sufficient exit routes and small doors added to the trap-like nature of the venue once the fire started.

This heartbreaking episode unfolds as a classic example of an avoidable tragedy, propelled by gross negligence, poor safety standards, and an absence of accountability. It highlights the deplorable erosion of public safety measures and regulatory norms in the face of corruption and cost-cutting.

As asses are counted and lives mourned, it is crucial to do more than just reel from the shock of such disastrous events. It is equally, if not more important, to address the root causes: to rigorously question systemic negligence, to enforce safety regulations firmly and to cultivate a culture of public safety - then and only then can we hope to avoid reliving such horrifying episodes. ([email protected]) 

* Author is Abdul Rafay Afzal. Author is from Lahore, Pakistan currently a law student at Liverpool John Moores University, UK. He writes perceptive columns on geopolitics, international relations, and legal affairs etc. providing unique insights into the global landscape in different Pakistani and International Newspapers and Media outlets in English & Urdu languages. Instagram: @arafzal555

**) Ikuti berita terbaru TIMES Indonesia di Google News klik link ini dan jangan lupa di follow.