Iran Press/ West Asia: Hundreds of people gathered on Thursday at the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Nineveh’s Hamdaniya district to bid farewell to those killed on Tuesday night.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who has ordered an investigation into the blaze, also visited Hamdaniya on Thursday to inspect the site of the fire and meet the families of the victims and survivors.
Most of the wedding guests in the Hamdaniya reception hall belong to Nineveh’s Christian minority, but the tragedy shook the whole community.
Several of the dead were also buried on Wednesday afternoon in Hamdaniya, less than 24 hours after the fire.
More funerals are expected in the coming days as investigators continue to identify the victims, some of whom were burned beyond recognition.
The father of the groom said that the couple survived the blaze which tore through the large hall in the Christian town, which had survived ISIS occupation.
Health Ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr said: "All efforts are being made to provide relief to those affected by the unfortunate accident."
The wedding hall was decorated with illegal, highly flammable cladding.
Officials said: "The fire led to the collapse of parts of the hall as a result of the use of highly flammable, low-cost building materials that collapse within minutes when the fire breaks out."
205
Read More:
Iraq: At least 113 killed, over 150 injured in wedding party
