A marriage celebration in the Christian town of Qaraqosh Iraq transformed into an event which would become a nightmare for a nation.
Revan and Haneen tied the knot before hundreds of guests who gathered at the banquet hall that hosted their large family celebration as friends watched their youthful beginning.
A total of 900 wedding guests brought life to the banquet hall through their musical celebrations and dancing pleasure as they supported the newlywed couple.
The short span from when they danced to his first screams of terror revealed his joyful excitement.
A typical first dance progressed with two fires during its opening before four more fired later on.
Revan who served as groom explained to Sky News that they experienced heat before hearing an audio signal followed by ceiling nylon material melting according to his narrative.
During the crackling sound I turned my eyes towards the ceiling. The ceiling covered entirely by nylon began to dissolve. It only took seconds.”
Highly combustible composite panels made up the roof which started a quick fire that followed by roof collapse. This immediate tragedy created chaos throughout the hall.
Desperate guests attempting to flee encountered rapid flames that toppled the roof and captured numerous guests beneath the collapse.
Witness Nirvan, who attended the event with his wife, described the fire to The Media Line as “sudden” and said it “rapidly consumed the ceiling almost completely.”
The chaos led to his wife receiving injuries during the stampede and he joined many others who needed emergency help but had to wait longer than 30 minutes.
The BBC reported that the fire started because of fireworks then Iraqi Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari verified how the flames led to rooftop collapse throughout the building.
A preliminary investigation led to the arrest of fourteen people with four of them belonging to the firework display organization.
Some were later released.
A representative from Iraq’s Civil Defence Directorate confirmed that the event hall consisted of low-cost flammable materials which quickened the fire and led to the building collapse.
The room materials exposed people to safety violations which would have helped prevent the catastrophe from occurring.
The Independent reported that as part of the investigation, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani demanded “the toughest punishments permitted by law” for anyone whose negligence led to the horrific blaze.
The premier demanded country-wide public venue inspections to become more strict.
The nationwide mourning period now depends on breakdowns from the main participants while people across the country seek explanations.
According to Sky News Revan recounted his attempt to rescue his wife through the turbulent event. From the kitchen entrance I persisted in pulling her body while attempting to extract her from the room.
Humans fled the approaching danger which caused others to step on her while she tried to escape. Her legs are injured.”
He declared that the single functioning fire extinguisher in the establishment proved ineffective.
The newlyweds insist that they will no longer stay in their hometown after their survival from the devastating incident.
Their previous dreams about a hopeful future have been replaced by the burden of tragic grief.
A confession emerged from them that left the entire audience in complete silence.
Haneen the bride became a survivor of the fire after losing 10 family members including her mother and brother.
The fire has left her father critically wounded when she recovered from her injuries.
She does not speak at all since the tragic event occurred.
Revan shared with her: “We need to go away from here because we cannot stay anymore.” Our attempts at seeking happiness always end when tragedy appears to eliminate the happiness we had found. We should leave since it represents our best option.
With great heaviness he delivered his last sentence which proved to be the most heartbreaking statement.
We are present in front of you despite being alive. But inside we are de@d. We are numb. We are de@d inside.”
Feature Image Credit: (Sky News)