Issuing a verdict against the owner of the "Hamdaniya Fire" party hall

On September 26, 2023, Al-Haitham Hall in Al-Hamdaniya District, Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, witnessed a horrific tragedy during a wedding ceremony, as a fire broke out, killing 122 people and injuring 82 others.

Causes of the fire and initial investigations Initial investigations showed that the fire was caused by fireworks being set off inside the hall, which ignited flammable materials on the ceiling.

It was also found that the hall did not meet safety standards, as the building materials were highly flammable, and there were insufficient emergency exits, which contributed to the escalation of the accident.

Legal Procedures and Penalties The Nineveh Criminal Court issued a ten-year prison sentence against the hall owner, including the period of detention. 14 other people were also arrested, including 10 workers, the hall owner, and 3 people involved in lighting fireworks during the incident.

Reactions and implications The incident sparked a wave of grief and anger in Iraq, where officials expressed deep regret, and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani declared three days of mourning. He also directed tightening safety measures in public places to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.