Egypt expressed solidarity with the Iraqi government and people over the victims of a wedding fire that took place in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh, killing and injuring hundreds of people.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Abu Zeidoffered sincere condolences to the families of the victims, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Hundreds of people were celebrating during a wedding in Al-Hamdaniya, in Iraq’s northern Nineveh province when a fire tore through the venue late on Tuesday evening. At least 100 peoplewere killed and about 150 others were injured.
It is not yet known what caused the blaze, but early reports say it broke out after fireworks were lit.
Flammable panels in the venue may have fuelled the flames, causing parts of the ceiling to catch fire and fall.
“The fire led to the collapse of parts of the hall as a result of the use of highly flammable, low-cost building materials that collapse within minutes when a fire breaks out,” Iraq’s civil defence directorate said, quoted by state news agency INA.
