Tragedy in Bakhdida

Friends and relatives attend a funeral for the victims who died in a fire during a wedding ceremony in Hamdaniya, Iraq, Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Hadi Mizban/AP

Seeking answers and healing after Bakhdida’s wedding hall fire

By Christina Salem

In the heart of the Nineveh Plain province, the close-knit town of Bakhdida (also known as Qaraqosh) grapples with a devastating tragedy that left them searching for answers and healing. tThe horrific fire that engulfed the Al-Haitham wedding hall during the bride and groom’s slow dance on September 26, 2023, sent shockwaves through the town and beyond.

More than one thousand people attended the celebration of love for Haneen and Revan, two Bakhdida natives. As fire rained down from the décor above, many scrambled to disperse from the venue. According to locals who witnessed the fire, the town only has one fire truck which arrived on the scene 30 minutes after the fire broke out. It ran out of water within seconds.

There were no fire extinguishers in the building, no emergency fire escape, and no sprinkler system. “I hold the owner of the hall responsible for what happened at the party because there are no extinguishers or safety measures in the hall,” the father of the groom told CNN.

According to the Associated Press as well as videos from the event, it has been stated that the fire occurred because of pyrotechnics that lit the ceiling of the venue, which was decorated with flowers, fabric, and hay. Iraqi authorities say that the owner of al-Haitham was aware of the safety issues in the hall and proceeded to move forward despite warnings. He attempted to flee but was arrested in Erbil.

The entire town of Bakhdida is Christian. Before the ISIS invasion, the town boasted a population of 64,000. About half returned to the town, only to face this massive tragedy. Much of the Chaldean community in metro Detroit has family from or near Bakhdida, which is only a 35-minute drive to Mosul, an hour drive to Tel Keppe, and an hour and 18-minute drive to Al Qosh. Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Syriacs alike perished in this tragedy; patriarchs from all five Christian churches in the community performed the funeral the day after.

Mayor Issam Behnam Matti, a central figure beloved in Bakhdida, has shared his insights into the events that transpired on that fateful day. He highlighted the numerous challenges posed by a rushed investigation, the personal struggles he faced, and the pressing need for a thorough, scientific analysis of the incident.

This catastrophic fire claimed the lives of over 128 individuals and left many others critically injured, according to a local Bakhdida native. An Assyrian Aid Society report, which confirmed a U.S. citizen as one of the victims, left the entire town speculating about the fire’s origins. Religious leaders in Bakhdida have joined the chorus of those who believe the fire may not have simply been an accident. The town’s residents remain resolute in their quest for answers.

Questions That Linger

Residents continue to wonder if there is a serious chance that the mayor will be removed from office due to the fire investigation’s focus on administrative protocol. The current investigation, shrouded in political pressure and time constraints, may not have been as thorough as the community desires.

An Iraqi woman reacts at the site of a fatal fire in the district of Hamdaniya. Hadi Mizban/AP

The mayor, facing immense pressure from both his personal losses and his official duties, pointed out the challenges he personally faced. He lost 11 family members in the tragedy, and this emotional turmoil, coupled with sleep deprivation and lack of sustenance, made the investigation an even more daunting task.

One of the critical issues that Mayor Issam highlights is the Iraqi government’s rush to close the case hurriedly, which is a common practice in Iraq. A desire to pin the blame on someone often results in a lack of comprehensive scientific analysis. This approach, while expedient, can leave unanswered questions and fuel further speculation.

According to sources on the ground in Iraq, the investigation primarily focused on the administrative part of the fire, such as approvals and permissions, rather than delving into the scientific aspects. What caused the fire? Why were pyrotechnics used inside? What type of building materials were used and was there a proper fire suppression system? These are questions that have remained largely uninvestigated by officials.

Protests and Calls for International Involvement

In response to these concerns, the people of Bakhdida planned a demonstration to demand answers. They are still seeking the intervention of other national governments and the United States, or any external entity, to ensure an unbiased and transparent investigation.

The community’s skepticism regarding the investigation’s thoroughness is made clear by videos of the townspeople’s protests on social media. The people of Bakhdida are not content with an investigation that appears to be veering toward hasty blame-shifting rather than a technical and scientific analysis.

Furthermore, this tragedy extends beyond the borders of Bakhdida. The Chaldean/Assyrian/Syriac community in Arizona, led by Sam Darmoo, organized a gathering that united various political parties and churches. This event served as both a funeral and a show of support for the victims of the fire. The American that perished in tragedy was from Arizona and this has resonated with that state’s politicians, transcending political divides.

A Path to Recovery

Amid the turmoil and the quest for answers overshadowed by more recent events in the Middle East, the humanitarian aspect of the tragic fire’s aftermath cannot be overlooked. There are still burn victims in need of care and medication. Beyond these immediate needs, the community is grappling with the emotional, psychological, and political fallout.

Mayor Issam believes that a committee or group of psychologists should be brought to Bakhdida to support the community’s long-term healing. The trauma inflicted by the fire is profound and enduring, and the residents require professional assistance to regain a sense of normalcy. Protesters have set ablaze the jailed hall owner’s property out of frustration to a lack of response from the government.

Moreover, the government needs to acknowledge its faults and ensure that measures will be taken to prevent such a tragedy in the future. The people and mayor of Bakhdida propose the formation of a committee dedicated to fostering peace and reconciliation. This committee, as Mayor Issam suggests, should be coordinated with the Iraqi government.

Lessons Learned

The owners of the wedding hall faced allegations of multiple safety violations. While these violations may not have directly contributed to the fire, they raise concerns about the standards and regulations that were in place. Violations such as an expired fire extinguisher and the use of flammable materials should have been addressed immediately.

It’s important to note that these safety violations were not under the jurisdiction of Mayor Issam’s office, emphasizing the need for more rigorous oversight and enforcement of safety standards.

Iraq has a history of safety violations. Recent examples include a ferry in Mosul that had a capacity of 50 but exceeded nearly 200 passengers, leading to a capsize in 2019. In 2021, during the onset of COVID, a fire occurred in Baghdad’s Ibn al-Khatib Hospital. The fire blazed through the hospital due to a lack of fire detection and suppression systems, according to the New York Times. Many died because they were taken off their ventilators to escape.

Improving Emergency Response

Reflecting on the tragic outcome, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of safety and evacuation training in Iraq. Inadequate education on how to respond during a fire emergency contributed to the high casualty count. The fire department showed up 30 minutes after the fire was reported, and the lack of understanding and preparation among the venue’s staff and attendees resulted in chaos.

After the owner of the venue cut the lights out when the fire began, hundreds of people panicked and trampled one another to escape the deadly blaze. Efforts to educate businesses and the community about safety protocols and evacuation procedures are crucial to preventing such a tragedy in the future.

Bakhdida’s Resilience

Bakhdida has faced its fair share of challenges, including the invasion of ISIS in 2014. Although the town was liberated in 2017, it sustained heavy damage and resulted in massive relocation. According to the Syriac Press, more than 32% of homes and civil centers were burned down.

Furthermore, ongoing political disputes for the coveted area of land in the Nineveh Plain province affect the of the lives of the townspeople. Ongoing political clashes, security instability, and land disputes with neighboring communities continue to hamper the progress of recovery for the Christian community in Iraq. The tragic fire at the wedding hall is yet another blow to the town that witnessed a mass exodus of its residents just 9 years ago.

Mayor Issam acknowledges that the cumulative effect of these events has left the community somewhat numb to the constant turmoil. Every new incident reinforces the idea that leaving the area is a logical response to crisis. While the fire’s impact on Bakhdida’s momentum remains uncertain due to the lack of basic mental health and governmental resources, the community faces a difficult road to recovery.

The challenges facing Bakhdida are immense, but the strength of its people endures. As they seek answers, healing, and justice, the world barely watches. Those that are paying attention are hopeful that this resilient community will find the peace and stability it deserves as it remains overshadowed by higher-priority western political issues. The tragedies of the past should not define Bakhdida’s future, and through unity, understanding, and comprehensive investigations, there is a path forward for this close-knit community.