Deadly fire at a wedding in Iraq: Neglected safety standards, a preventable tragedy
On the night of Tuesday September 26 to Wednesday September 27, a devastating fire broke out during a wedding in Hamdaniyah, a small town in northern Iraq. The results are tragic, with at least 100 people dead and 150 injured, according to health authorities. An investigation is underway to determine the exact causes of this accident which could have been avoided if safety standards had been respected.
According to initial reports, the fire was started by the use of fireworks during the wedding celebration. However, officials point out that the presence of prefabricated panels, which are highly flammable and do not comply with safety standards, would have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. Parts of the ceiling collapsed, trapping many people inside the party hall.
This tragedy highlights the shortcomings in respect of security standards in Iraq, whether in the field of construction or transport. The country, torn by decades of conflict, is struggling to rebuild its infrastructure and put in place adequate security measures. Cheap and weak construction materials are often used, putting citizens’ lives at risk.
The consequences of this neglect are terrible, with many lives lost and families bereaved. It is therefore essential that the Iraqi authorities take strict measures to strengthen security standards and punish violators. A thorough review of construction materials used in public and private buildings must be carried out in order to avoid such disasters in the future.
In the meantime, solidarity is being organized in the region to help the victims of this fire. Hospitals are mobilized to care for the injured, while residents are mobilizing to donate blood or provide support to affected families. Such a preventable tragedy should not happen again, it is time for lessons to be learned and concrete steps to be taken to keep everyone safe.