Grief, anger at Iraq mass for victims of wedding fire

Celebratory gunfire and fireworks or flares often accompany weddings and other festivities in the Middle East; often many relatives and community members toast the newlyweds in extravagant party settings. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. Flares may have set alight cladding, or a chandelier, initial reports said, leaving the building ablaze within two minutes.

Some 1,000 guests attended the celebration. Archbishop Bashar Warda of Erbil confirmed to OSV News the newlyweds managed to escape the fire and are alive.