The Assyrian community of Stanislaus County gathered on Thursday at the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock to honor those lost, those still missing and those injured in a fire that erupted during a wedding celebration in Baghdeda, Iraq on Sept. 26.

As dances began, a ring of pyrotechnics machines on the floor of the northern Iraqi wedding hall released fountains of sparks into the air. As the music played, ceiling panels above the machines burst into flames. Authorities said highly flammable building materials contributed to the disaster.  More than 113 have died, 35 are missing, and 200 injured from the wedding. There was no official word on the cause of the blaze. 

The tragedy was the latest to hit Iraq’s Christian minority, which has dwindled to a fraction of its former size over the past decade in the face of militant attacks.

Local Assyrians gathered to honor the dead with a candlelight vigil and send a message of support to Assyrians in Baghdeda, Nineveh and around the world. 

PICTURED: Assyrian American Civic Club President Albert Pourtaverdi speaks during the Turlock vigil; attendees light candles in memory of those lost during the wedding fire and those still missing and injured.