For most people, a wedding day is filled with joy and celebration. But for Haneen and Revan, their wedding night turned into a nightmare they will never forget. Around 900 guests had gathered to share in their happiness in Qaraqosh, a Christian town in northern Iraq, when suddenly a fire broke out in the banquet hall.
The flames started quickly, erupting between 10 and 10:45 p.m., as the couple danced surrounded by their loved ones. The fire spread rapidly through the ceiling, made of highly flammable nylon and composite panels that were against safety regulations. Revan described how the ceiling melted within seconds and how panic swept through the crowd.
Guests scrambled to escape, but chaos ensued as people ran and some were trampled. Revan managed to drag Haneen through a kitchen exit, though she was injured during the stampede. Tragically, over 100 people lost their lives and at least 150 were injured. Among those lost were 10 of Haneen’s relatives, including her mother and brother, while her father was critically hurt.
Initial reports suggested fireworks may have caused the fire, but an investigation found the flames likely started from an electrical short circuit in the ceiling. Authorities arrested fourteen people connected to the incident, with the government pledging strict punishments and improved safety checks at public venues.
Overwhelmed by grief, Haneen has been unable to speak since the tragedy, and the couple revealed they can no longer live in their hometown, haunted by the devastating memories. Revan expressed the numbness they feel inside, despite being alive physically.
What was meant to be a joyful start to their new life together instead brought unimaginable sorrow and loss, leaving a lasting scar on their hearts and community. This heartbreaking event is a stark reminder of the importance of safety and the fragile nature of life.
