Hundreds of people were celebrating in Qaraqosh in Iraq's northern Nineveh province when fire tore through the venue late on Tuesday evening.

It is not yet known what caused the blaze, but early reports say it broke out after fireworks were lit.

Flammable panels in the venue may have fuelled the flames, causing parts of the ceiling to catch fire and fall.

"The fire led to the collapse of parts of the hall as a result of the use of highly flammable, low-cost building materials that collapse within minutes when fire breaks out," Iraq's civil defence directorate said, quoted by state news agency INA.

It was not initially clear if the bride and the groom were among the victims but a local health official later confirmed at a press conference that they had died.