Iraq declares 3 days of mourning for fire victims

At least 100 people have died and 150 others are injured after a fire broke out during a wedding in Iraq's biggest Christian town, Report informs, citing BBC.

Hundreds were celebrating in a banqueting hall in Qaraqosh in Nineveh province when it happened.

Iraq's president posted on X that he had told officials to "mobilize all efforts to provide relief to those affected by the unfortunate incident".

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said building inspections would be carried out and safety procedures would be scrutinized, with "the relevant authorities held accountable for any negligence".

He also declared three days of national mourning.

The number of reported victims is unclear. The deputy governor of Nineveh, Hassan al-Allaq, told Reuters that 113 people had been confirmed dead, while the Red Crescent humanitarian group put the total number of dead and injured at nearly 450.