Hamdaniyah tragedy: a year of grief, a call for justice
As the one-year anniversary is commemorated, the Christian and Hammurabi coalitions reiterated their call for justice, emphasizing the need for ongoing support for the victims and their families.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – On the anniversary of the devastating Hamdaniyah wedding fire, the Christian Alliance and Hammurabi coalition expressed deep gratitude to Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for his immediate and decisive response to the disaster.
They also urged the Iraqi government to take swift action in holding those responsible for the tragedy accountable.
In a joint statement, the coalitions reflected on the tragedy, which claimed the lives of over 100 people and left more than 150 injured.
"One year after the Hamdaniyah tragedy, we call on the international community, the Iraqi government, and the Kurdistan Regional Government to make every effort to punish those responsible for the tragedy," the statement read.
The coalitions also appealed to the Iraqi government to officially recognize the victims as first-class martyrs and to prioritize the well-being of the injured and their grieving families.
"The relatives of the victims continue to experience shock and suffering, which have had a profound impact on their mental and physical health. Special attention must be given to their needs," they stressed.
The coalitions acknowledged the Kurdistan Regional Government’s vital role in providing prompt assistance.
"We will never forget the Kurdistan Regional Government's position in providing immediate and direct aid to the victims of the disaster, particularly the efforts of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who personally intervened in the early stages and ensured all possible government support was offered," they added.
The deadly fire, which broke out during a wedding celebration in the Hamdaniyah district on September 26 last year, prompted a nationwide outpouring of grief and shock.
Some of the victims were transferred to hospitals in Erbil for treatment, and Barzani swiftly expressed his readiness to provide all necessary assistance.
In the aftermath of the fire, the Iraqi Interior Ministry announced the arrest of 14 suspects, including 10 workers, the hall’s owner, and three individuals linked to setting off fireworks during the event.
Read More: Iraq’s deadly wedding fire caused by ‘fireworks, negligence,’ reveals investigation report
The tragedy led to a nationwide investigation into safety standards and fire protocols, with many still seeking answers and accountability.
As the one-year anniversary is commemorated, the Christian and Hammurabi coalitions reiterated their call for justice, emphasizing the need for ongoing support for the victims and their families.
