A top civil defence official has cautioned against neglecting safety at wedding tents in Qatar, saying that a lapse could cause disasters similar to the Kuwaiti wedding fire which killed more than 40 people yesterday.
Brigadier Aman al-Sulaiti, an expert at the Civil Defence Department, said that Gulf nationals, including Qataris, who hold wedding parties in tents, should learn a lesson from the Kuwait tragedy.
“Although this is the worst incident of its type in Kuwait’s history, it is not the first. A few months ago, a similar incident took place, but they did not learn from it,” Brig. al-Sulaiti told Gulf Times yesterday.
He appealed to citizens holding marriage parties in tents to seek the advice of the civil defence personnel.
“On such occasions, safety rules should be given a top priority,” he added.
Asked about the reasons behind the big number of casualties in Kuwaiti fire, the official said the fact that the tent had only one exit worsened the situation.
He said power generators, decorations and perfumes used by women were other factors that aggravated the tragedy.
“During weddings and similar occasions, we usually see safety rules as something non-essential until a disaster strikes.”
Asked about the possibility of banning wedding parties in tents, the official ruled it out, saying that tents are part of the Gulf region’s heritage.
He added, however, that concerned authorities should be stricter with the application of safety rules in such places.
“Our peoples in the region enjoy such environment which is part of their traditions,” he said.
Ibrahim al-Ibrahim, a member at the Central Municipal Council, criticised the lengthy and difficult procedures for obtaining a licence to build a wedding hall, which he said, made tents the last resort for citizens.
“Because of the high cost of renting wedding halls, some persons have to go for such tents,” al-Ibrahim said.
He noted that most of the companies running the tent business did not comply with safety rules.
“These companies usually use tents which are made of fabrics that are not fire-resistant.”
Hamad al-Zakiba, a police officer, also said the acute shortage of wedding halls as well as their high cost made wedding tents an easier option for the citizens.
“Wedding halls need to be reserved a year in advance, especially if the bridegroom is looking for a hall in his district. But you need only a few minutes to get permission for setting up a tent,” he added.
He also called for reviewing the safety rules for such tents, saying that even an orchestrated terror act would not have killed such a big number of people in Kuwait yesterday.
Tawfiq al-Sayed, an expert at a firefighting and safety systems company, said there were many safety guidelines that should be followed to make tents safe for holding such a gathering.
“All tents whether for Ramadan or weddings should be sprayed with fire-resisting chemicals a few hours before holding the event,” al-Sayed said.
A top civil defence official has cautioned against neglecting safety at wedding tents in Qatar, saying that a lapse could cause disasters similar to the Kuwaiti wedding fire which killed more than 40 people yesterday.
Brigadier Aman al-Sulaiti, an expert at the Civil Defence Department, said that Gulf nationals, including Qataris, who hold wedding parties in tents, should learn a lesson from the Kuwait tragedy.
“Although this is the worst incident of its type in Kuwait’s history, it is not the first. A few months ago, a similar incident took place, but they did not learn from it,” Brig. al-Sulaiti told Gulf Times yesterday.
He appealed to citizens holding marriage parties in tents to seek the advice of the civil defence personnel.
“On such occasions, safety rules should be given a top priority,” he added.
Asked about the reasons behind the big number of casualties in Kuwaiti fire, the official said the fact that the tent had only one exit worsened the situation.
He said power generators, decorations and perfumes used by women were other factors that aggravated the tragedy.
“During weddings and similar occasions, we usually see safety rules as something non-essential until a disaster strikes.”
Asked about the possibility of banning wedding parties in tents, the official ruled it out, saying that tents are part of the Gulf region’s heritage.
He added, however, that concerned authorities should be stricter with the application of safety rules in such places.
“Our peoples in the region enjoy such environment which is part of their traditions,” he said.
Ibrahim al-Ibrahim, a member at the Central Municipal Council, criticised the lengthy and difficult procedures for obtaining a licence to build a wedding hall, which he said, made tents the last resort for citizens.
“Because of the high cost of renting wedding halls, some persons have to go for such tents,” al-Ibrahim said.
He noted that most of the companies running the tent business did not comply with safety rules.
“These companies usually use tents which are made of fabrics that are not fire-resistant.”
Hamad al-Zakiba, a police officer, also said the acute shortage of wedding halls as well as their high cost made wedding tents an easier option for the citizens.
“Wedding halls need to be reserved a year in advance, especially if the bridegroom is looking for a hall in his district. But you need only a few minutes to get permission for setting up a tent,” he added.
He also called for reviewing the safety rules for such tents, saying that even an orchestrated terror act would not have killed such a big number of people in Kuwait yesterday.
Tawfiq al-Sayed, an expert at a firefighting and safety systems company, said there were many safety guidelines that should be followed to make tents safe for holding such a gathering.
“All tents whether for Ramadan or weddings should be sprayed with fire-resisting chemicals a few hours before holding the event,” al-Sayed said.
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