In Iraq, the owner of a wedding hall was sentenced to ten years in prison for causing a deadly fire during a wedding in September last year. The fire resulted in 134 deaths and over 150 injuries.
The incident occurred at a venue near Mosul, where approximately 900 guests were present despite the hall’s capacity of 400. Witnesses suggest fireworks may have started the blaze.
Court documents reviewed by AFP indicate negligence on the owner’s part, as the hall was decorated with flammable materials, facilitating rapid fire spread. Initially, the owner suspected an electrical short circuit and turned off the power, causing darkness and panic.
Accidents frequently occur in Iraq due to poor compliance with safety standards.
Source: NOS