including her brother and mother. Her father was critically ill as well.
At least 150 individuals were hurt, and more than 100 people lost their lives. Source: Sky News
The banquet hall was coated with highly combustible composite panels, which would be against safety standards, the Civil Defence Directorate told the Iraqi News Agency.
“The use of highly flammable, low-cost building materials that collapse within minutes when the fire breaks out led to the collapse of parts of the hall,” the directorate stated (as reported by The Independent).
A preliminary inquiry revealed that the fire was “caused by fireworks, which led to the roof burning heavily and collapsing on the citizens,” according to Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari. INA reports.
Four individuals involved in lighting off the pyrotechnics were among the 14 persons arrested after the fire, according to the BBC. Now, a few of them have been made public.
“The harshest penalties allowed by law for those responsible for negligence or failings that led to this tragic fire,” Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered.
