Number of victims at Iraqi wedding climbs to 450 Bride and groom among the dead

The death toll and casualties from a fire in Iraq's Nineveh province (north of the country) have risen to 450.

Iraqi Red Crescent Society announced the tragic figures on its page on social network X, TASS reports.

"The number of dead and injured in the fire in the hall where the wedding was held has risen to 450. The tragedy occurred in the town of al-Hamdaniyah [also known as Bahdida], located east of [the provincial administrative centre of] Mosul," the organisation said in a statement.

More than 100 people lost their lives in the fire and many more were injured, according to BBC.

The newly married couple are amongst the dead, said the deputy head of the Nineveh health directorate.

At least 50 of the injured are in critical condition, added the health official - with the majority of the victims being young men and women.