Bride and groom in shock after more than 100 relatives and friends die in fire at their wedding in Iraq: “We feel dead inside” | Abroad

Revan (27) and his bride Haneen (18) were on the dance floor when disaster struck. Images shared on social media show the fire spreading while the bride and groom look on in horror.

LOOK. Images show how guests flee from the fire

Initially, the Iraqi government reported that the bride and groom had also died. Not true, according to Arab media and the British news channel Sky News, who were able to speak to the couple.

Revan told the channel that he lost 15 family members in the fire in Bakhdida, northern Iraq. His bride Haneen mourns 10 deceased relatives, including her mother and her brother. Her father is in critical condition in hospital. “We sit here alive before you today, but inside we are dead. We feel numb and dead inside,” he says. “Haneen can no longer say a word.”

The cause of the fire – which broke out on Tuesday evening at 10:45 p.m. – is not yet known. According to initial findings, the fire may have been caused by fireworks that were set off during the opening dance. Revan himself thinks it could be a short circuit in the ceiling. “We felt the heat. I heard a crack and looked up. I saw the ceiling starting to melt. It only took a few seconds. Moments earlier the power had gone out. When the electricity came back on, I saw the flames and all hell broke loose.”

His first thoughts were of his new wife. Her long wedding dress made it difficult for her to move forward. “I grabbed her and started pulling her. I tried to get her out of the entrance to the kitchen. Fleeing guests trampled her. She injured her legs.”

Revan points an accusing finger at the owners of the venue. According to him, there was barely one fire extinguisher, which did not work. State media indicate that highly flammable building materials may have contributed to the rapid collapse of the building.

All that is left for the couple now is to grieve. “Our family members, our friends, our loved ones: they are all gone. Two days ago we buried Haneen’s uncle and his two daughters. Yesterday we buried her other uncle. Today we buried his daughter and Haneen’s mother. Her father is in critical condition. We don’t know what his condition is,” Revan said.

“My aunt died,” he continues. “My sister had burns. Her husband has burns all over his body. My uncle lost seven family members. So many people. And every day we hear something new.”

The couple now plans to leave the village where they live. Staying would be too painful. “We can’t live here anymore. Every time we have a little happiness within reach, something tragic happens to us that destroys this happiness. What have we done wrong? It’s best if we leave.”