A moment that was meant to celebrate love has instead transformed into a heartbreaking disaster for newlyweds Haneen and Revan. Their wedding day, celebrated in the Christian town of Qaraqosh in Iraq’s Nineveh province, took a shocking turn.
A tragic fire has claimed the lives of over 100 individuals, with at least 150 others suffering injuries. The couple, now devastated, have opened up about their emotional struggle to the media.
Haneen, 18, and her husband Revan, 27, celebrated their special moment with loved ones gathered around them. They expected their most joyous occasion to bring together approximately 900 attendees.
Tragedy unfolded at approximately 10:45 p.m. during the couple’s first dance. A festive occasion quickly went down into chaos and fear.
Early reports claim that the couple’s use of fireworks for their dance ignited the fire. However, Revan has voiced doubts regarding this theory.
In an interview with “Sky News”, he stated that a short circuit could have been the cause of the fire. “The fire started in the ceiling. We felt the heat… it took seconds,” he said.
The ceiling, constructed from highly flammable nylon, greatly worsened the situation. Fiery fragments started to fall on the frightened guests below.
The couple encountered a momentary blackout while sharing their first dance. Flames had already consumed the ceiling when the lights came back on.
Chaos erupted as attendees hurriedly looked for the nearest exits. Revan hurried to rescue his bride, who was having difficulty with her wedding gown.
“I grabbed my wife and dragged her towards the kitchen entrance,” Revan recalled. Haneen suffered injuries to her legs as the crowd panicked and rushed to escape.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, numerous individuals were unable to reunite with their families despite the desperate attempts to flee. Haneen experienced the tragic loss of 10 family members, which includes her mother and brother.
Revan faced a heartbreaking loss, with 15 family members passing away in the disaster. Burying their loved ones has left the pair paralyzed with grief.
One by one, their family was buried without a break. “Two days ago, we buried her uncle and his daughters,” Revan shared.
Yesterday, we laid to rest another uncle, and today we mourn her mother. He added that her father remains in critical condition, clearly devastated.
Officials continue to look into what sparked the fire. The use of flammable materials in the venue’s construction is believed to have played a significant role.
Civil Defense officials have verified the use of inexpensive, highly flammable materials. The use of these materials, which failed to adhere to safety standards, exacerbated the situation.
The couple revealed that the venue only had one fire extinguisher. According to Revan, when the fire broke out, it was ineffective.
Witnesses described the fire as unexpected and all-consuming. “The fire was too fast; we couldn’t handle the wounded,” one guest said.
Following the fire, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has launched an investigation. The authorities have taken into custody 14 individuals, including those connected to the fireworks.
Several individuals have been released, whereas others are confronting legal consequences. The Prime Minister called for strict consequences for those responsible for oversight.
The inquiry continues, yet the couple has reached a difficult conclusion. They are unable to remain in their hometown of Qaraqosh.
“That’s it, we can’t live here anymore,” Revan explained. The tragedy’s weight is simply too much to bear.
The couple’s revelation is as devastating as the incident itself. “It’s true that we’re sitting here alive. “But inside, we are dead,” Revan revealed.
Haneen remains deeply affected and has not spoken a word since the unfortunate event. The passing of her mother and brother has plunged her into a state of disbelief, making her unable to express herself.
For numerous households in Qaraqosh, the suffering is beyond comprehension. The night shattered families, leaving deep wounds across the entire community.
“Inside, we are dead. “We are numb,” Revan stated. The fire’s impact has left them both deeply affected and unable to cope
The couple’s heartbreaking revelation strikes a chord with numerous individuals. Their wedding day, once filled with hope, now stands as a poignant reminder of deep sorrow.
At last, Revan and Haneen unveiled the depth of their sorrow. Contrary to earlier reports, new findings reveal that the fire was not caused by fireworks.
Revan believes that a short circuit or a fault in the ceiling could be responsible for the issue. They will never be the same, and grief will always be too much
Feature Image Credit: (SKYNEWS)
