28 September 2023, Baghdad, Iraq – WHO in Iraq expresses profound sorrow over the loss of numerous innocent lives in Al-Hamdaniya District, Nineveh governorate, Iraq. The devastating incident unfolded on the evening of Tuesday 26 September 2023 at a local banquet hall, resulting in 93 deaths and more than 100 people injured.

In response to this tragic crisis, WHO has taken immediate action to support efforts by Iraq’s Ministry of Health to provide critical medical assistance to the injured. Urgent medical supplies, including comprehensive hospital supply kits, have been allocated to Al-Hamdaniya General Hospital, Al-Jamhoury Hospital and the Mosul Specialized Centre for Burns and Constructive Surgery to ensure that sufficient essential resources are available