In his first statement following the tragedy, the groom from Hamdaniya in Iraq broke his silence and spoke to "Sky News" about the fire that left more than 100 people dead, including 10 members of his bride's family and 15 from his own. The shocked groom said, "Our relatives, friends, and loved ones are gone." He added that he and his bride feel like "living corpses" after their wedding ceremony ended in a tragedy that claimed at least 100 guests in a massive fire.
The bride, Haneen (18 years old), lost ten family members, including her mother and brother, while her husband Rivan (27 years old) lost 15 relatives after a fire broke out during their wedding in northern Iraq last Tuesday evening. The groom said, "Inside, we are dead. We are numb." Rivan also mentioned that his bride "cannot speak" after the disaster, which also left her father in critical condition. More than 150 people were injured due to the flames and choking smoke or while scrambling to escape from the reception hall, which turned into charred ruins with twisted furniture beneath a partially collapsed roof.
Officials indicated that indoor fireworks were a likely cause of the fire, which led to a panicked stampede at the exit. However, groom Rivan has a different opinion; he believes the fire somehow began in the ceiling and was not due to a spark from the fireworks. "It could be an electrical short; I don't know, but it started in the ceiling. We felt the heat, and when I heard the cracking sound, I looked at the ceiling." He continued: "Then the ceiling, which was made entirely of nylon, began to melt... and it didn't take long." Rivan stated that during the dancing, the electricity went out, and when it returned, he "saw fire" in the ceiling, at which point people began "screaming" and "running."
He recounted the initial moments following the outbreak of the fire and how he and his bride, who could not walk because of her wedding dress, managed to escape outside. Rivan said, "Our relatives, friends, and loved ones are gone." The couple has now buried their uncles and aunts and cousins and are still waiting to hear about Haneen's father’s condition. The couple stated they will no longer be able to live in their city, and their happiness has been "shattered."
