In September 2023, a fire broke out during a wedding party in Qaraqosh, Iraq, killing at least 100 people and injuring many more. The fire reportedly started when several fireworks were lit during the wedding, and it quickly spread due to the highly flammable materials used in the building, including metal and plastic composite panels that covered the hall. Witnesses reported that the bride and groom were dancing when the fireworks started to climb to the ceiling, and the whole hall went up in flames. Videos posted online showed the bride and groom and other guests dodging burning debris falling on the dancefloor. The groom survived the fire, contrary to initial reports that he had perished. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but a report issued by Iraqs Interior Ministry four days after the fire highlights four pyrotechnic devices in the center of the wedding hall as responsible for the start of the fire. The disaster has sparked a speedy government investigation that placed the blame on the venues owners but has also revealed broader cleavages within Iraqi society.