A Community United in Grief: Remembering the Victims of the Baghdeda Wedding Fire
By: Malaak Massoud
On September 26, 2023, in the town of Baghdeda, also known as Qaraqosh, located in the Nineveh Plains of Iraq, the Assyrian community gathered to celebrate the newlywed couple, Revan and Haneen Isho–two Baghdeda natives. The wedding day, a symbol of love, hope, and new beginnings, turned into a tragedy when a fire broke out at the Al-Haitham wedding hall. In a matter of moments, a day meant for celebration became one of mourning, as the fire spread rapidly through the venue, trapping hundreds of guests inside. This devastating event sent shockwaves through the town and beyond, leaving the community shattered.
Among those who lost their lives were children, parents, grandparents, and friends, all gathered to celebrate the marriage of the young couple. The fire took not only the lives of many but also devastating families and a community that had come together in joy. In the aftermath, stories of heroism emerged of those who gave their lives to save others, risking everything in their final moments.
One wedding guest, Nabil Ibrahim, was outside with his son when the fire broke out, leaving his wife, daughter, and other son inside. Rushing in, he recalled, “I saw people burning and screaming.” Despite his efforts to help, he saw an unconscious woman being carried out, later learning she died of suffocation. He escaped through the kitchen and found his family outside, but by then, “most of the people inside had died.” Fortunately, many children were playing outside, and he remarked, “If they’d all been inside, they would have died.”
These accounts, while a testament to the bravery and selflessness of the victims, only deepened the sense of loss and heartbreak felt by their loved ones. The sheer magnitude of this tragedy has left a pain that will never truly fade, a wound that runs deep in the heart of Baghdeda and the greater Assyrian community.
It was estimated that around 1,000 people were in attendance that night, and from this large gathering, over 100 people lost their lives, and about a further number suffered from injuries. It is said that every member of the community lost a loved one. Both bride and groom survived the fire, although both suffered burns and lost close relatives. The bride lost her whole family including her mother and three brothers, all of her uncles and her young cousins. The groom lost relatives as well, including his mother. An unnamed survivor said he had more than 20 relatives at the wedding and that some of them were killed. "I have a friend whose whole family died. He, his children, his mother, his wife, everyone. Many entire families died," he explains. "It's a human catastrophe, an extermination."
The fire erupted during the bride and groom's first dance, one of the most intimate moments of the evening. The fire occurred as a result of a flare ignited by the pyrotechnic sparklers, special flare effects, that were meant to beautify the celebration. The sparks from the flares ignited suspended decorations which fell and quickly spread to other flammable materials on tables.
In the wake of this tragic event, the devastation was further aggravated by the inadequate safety measures in place at the wedding venue. Baghdeda has only one fire truck which arrived on the scene 30 minutes after the fire broke out, and tragically, the truck ran out of water shortly after its arrival, leaving rescuers helpless. The venue itself was devoid of basic fire safety precautions—there were no fire extinguishers, no emergency exits, and no sprinkler system. These glaring omissions of safety infrastructure contributed to the catastrophic loss of life. "It's unimaginable," says Majid Hanna, a survivor of the incident. “I found some of my relatives and neighbors, but the bodies were so badly charred. We keep searching for any traces, even a piece of bone.” In the aftermath, the father of the groom expressed his anger and grief, holding the venue's owner responsible for neglecting essential safety measures. Iraqi authorities later confirmed that the owner of the Al-Haitham wedding hall had been warned about the dangers but chose to proceed with the event despite these concerns.
In the immediate aftermath of the crisis, hospitals in Iraq were overwhelmed, forcing them to turn away many victims of the tragedy. The Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq (AAS-Iraq) mobilized a full-time doctor, four paramedics, and four support staff to provide medical aid. Between September 28th and November 8, their mobile clinic team tirelessly cared for 40 individuals with burns, offering solace and reassurance. 32 fully recovered, while 8 were referred to advanced hospital care. Ekhlas Sawqat, a nurse and volunteer on the AAS-Iraq clinic team, emphasizes the significance of their work: “Honestly, the burns were not just any burns. The people who were harmed and killed were relatives and close ones. My relatives were also victims, but despite this, I’ve gone out and treated everyone. The tragedy was enormous. It’s affected us psychologically, and physically, in every way... We have to continue our lives. We have to be strong for the sake of ourselves and our families, as well as for those who need our help.”
Over the next weeks, AAS-Iraq distributed 100 food baskets and provided financial support to families of hospitalized victims. AAS-Iraq provided cash support to 10 families of injured patients in Iraqi hospitals, covering expenses like accommodation, transportation, and food, with each family receiving IQD 500,000 (about $380 USD). Additionally, 18 families in Turkish hospitals received $500 USD each. Through collaboration with local and international organizations, AAS-Iraq coordinated medical treatments, food supplies, and ongoing assessments to address the community’s needs.
The ChaldoAssyrian Students & Youth Union of Khoyada played a significant role in the immediate response to the crisis. They worked alongside the Assyrian Aid Society of Iraq to conduct a rapid field survey of affected families in Baghdeda, completing door-to-door visits within a day. Their findings were crucial in informing the response efforts of local organizations.
The Syriac Catholic Church was also instrumental, collaborating with AAS-Iraq to coordinate relief efforts. The church worked closely with AAS-Iraq to launch a psychosocial support program aimed at helping the affected community heal. This partnership between the ChaldoAssyrian Union and the Syriac Catholic Church was vital in addressing both immediate and long-term needs.
The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, announced the formation of an investigative committee and ordered stricter building inspections and safety checks. In the weeks that followed, Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari issued a government investigation that indicated that the cause of the fire was related to the house of highly flammable materials during the hall’s construction during the hall’s construction after the ISIS occupation in 2017. Federal Iraq also blamed local mismanagement and corruption.
The wedding hall violated basic safety requirements and lacked emergency exits and a sprinkler system. Authorities also blamed the fire's rapid spread on the wedding hall's use of highly flammable, banned "sandwich panel" exterior siding. The building’s construction material was highly combustible and seems to have been made of material similar to that used in the 2021 Baghdad hospital fire, which contributed to the tragic loss of 82 lives and more than 100 injured.
The scale of the disaster has exposed a weak health care system in the region of Nineveh. Some of the injured were transferred to hospitals in neighboring provinces, and a lack of special equipment has prevented forensic examinations from being carried out to identify some of the dead. Dr. Mustafa Khadir from the Nineveh Republican Hospital noted that there were shortages in the intensive care unit from heart monitors, oxygen cylinders, and even beds. “Our local hospitals can only accommodate a certain number of patients.”
Following the investigation, fourteen people were arrested, including the hall's owner and four people involved in setting off the sparklers arrested due to "gross negligence" and safety violations. However, reports indicate that some of these suspects have since been released, although the exact details of their release remain unclear. Al Sudani declared three days of national mourning and visited Baghdeda to meet victims' families. The Assyrian community criticizes the government corruption and weak safety enforcement, while Christian leaders called for an international investigation.
The people of Baghdeda pointed to a historic neglect of the town's needs since its invasion by ISIS in 2014. Resentment and conspiracy theories took root, and countless believe the fire was orchestrated by outside political powers to attain greater influence over the area. But looming over the political grievances and accusations were the persuasive feelings that this was simply the last straw. To many in Baghdeda, the fire was yet another example of how Iraq’s business and government culture is so beset by corruption, incompetence, and petty greed that it routinely puts people’s lives at risk for profit. Like the bride and groom, a significant number concluded it was better to just leave.
Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming loss and profound grief, the community of Baghdeda have shown remarkable strength and resilience. Neighbors, friends, and strangers alike have come together to support one another, providing comfort and assistance to each other and those deeply affected by the fire. Fundraising efforts have been initiated both locally and internationally, with donations pouring in to assist the victims’ families and survivors. These efforts have demonstrated that, even in the face of overwhelming grief, the community can find ways to move forward, united by their shared loss and their determination to heal.
One year later, the long-term impact of the tragedy on the community has been profound, with lasting effects on mental health and a strong desire among many residents to leave in search of healing and new beginnings. Survivors describe the psychological toll of the event, expressing feelings of being just a number in a country that does not respect its people. Many struggle with nightmares and flashbacks, haunted by the sights of that fateful day.
Voices like that of Adison Najeeb, a young videographer who captured the incident, reveal the profound impact it has had on those who witnessed it. “Iraq isn't safe. None of it is safe. Because the country doesn’t know how to respect people. I just feel like a number in Iraq,” he explains. “I can't sleep at night; I get nightmares. I just close my eyes and I remember their voices. I don't wish for anyone to see what I've seen or hear what I heard.” He describes how social media and community serve as constant reminders of the event, saying, “So I see a solution in one leaving because at least I could forget a bit or I could change to something different.” This ongoing trauma affects daily life, with families unable to escape the shadow of loss and grief.
The bride and groom themselves feel outcast from the community, with many pointing blame at the event and the lack of unforeseen precautions for the tragic loss, leading them to stray away from the public eye. The community's mental health struggles are compounded by a lack of resources for psychological support. Local healthcare providers and charitable organizations, such as initiatives by the Syriac Catholic Church and the Assyrian Aid Society, have worked tirelessly to provide assistance in responding to physical and emotional trauma, but the need often outweighs the available resources. While initiatives to support mental well-being have emerged, many still find themselves grappling with unresolved grief and anxiety.
Minnie Nabrood, a Baghdeda native, reflects the uncertainty felt by many: “The young people remaining don’t know if they should stay or go. During the period of ISIS, we went to Christian areas in Duhok or Erbil. We didn't see any young men or women return. This could be wrong, but maybe this is what we’ve become. If they get up and go, they think there will be better opportunities for work.” This sentiment underscores the challenges facing the community, where the fear of remaining in a place marked by tragedy clashes with the hope for a brighter future elsewhere.
The invasion by ISIS significantly accelerated the trend of migration, with many families seeking new opportunities and a safer environment. Since 2014, approximately 30 families have been leaving the region each year, and this number has increased following the recent tragedy. Families feel that relocating might offer a chance to forget the events that have scarred them and to start anew, as many young people consider leaving in search of better opportunities and a less painful environment. This exodus is a significant concern for the community, as it risks eroding the social fabric that has long sustained them. With many feeling trapped by the memories of the incident, the hope of finding peace and stability elsewhere drives their decisions.
Overall, the long-term repercussions of this tragedy extend beyond the immediate loss; they touch the very core of the community’s identity and future. As individuals navigate their grief, the quest for healing and a sense of safety remains paramount, shaping their choices for years to come.
As we continue to remember the victims of the Baghdeda wedding fire, we are reminded of the profound importance of community and the power of unity in the face of such a tragic event. This heartbreaking incident touched the lives of Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Syriacs alike, underscoring our shared humanity and the bonds that tie us together. In a remarkable display of solidarity, patriarchs from all the Christian churches in our community came together to perform the funeral rites the very next day, demonstrating a collective commitment to support those grieving and honoring the lives lost.
Coming together to honor the memories of those taken too soon, it’s important to remember that unity is not merely a response to tragedy, but a continuous commitment to one another. It is a call to action to ensure that such a catastrophe never occurs again. In the responsive words of Mar Benedict Yunan Hanna, the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate, “We’ve asked the Almighty to bestow His grace and patience on us all. We pray that we can live in peace and stability. May the Lord protect the Iraqi people and guide their leaders to the right path.” In remembering the lives lost, we find purpose in advocating for safety, justice, and the well-being of our community.
We must continue to remember those we lost and do everything we can to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. As we honor the memories of those who were taken too soon, we stand together in grief, in remembrance, and in hope for a future where our community can heal and find peace.