Groom collapses and dies on dance floor at Egyptian wedding

An Egyptian wedding in Aswan Governorate ended in heartbreak when the groom collapsed and died while dancing with his bride. Ashraf Abu Hakam was seen in footage celebrating the joyous occasion in Aswan on Thursday before tragedy struck. In the clip, Hakam and his bride were dancing in front of friends and family, both waving Saidi sticks as part of the traditional dance.

Moments later, he suddenly collapsed on the dance floor, his wife still holding his hand as guests rushed to help. The upbeat music fell silent as screams and gasps spread through the venue. Medical staff later said he had suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Gulf News reported that doctors confirmed the cause and that attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. The clip quickly circulated on Egyptian social media, with friends and relatives expressing shock and offering condolences. One friend wrote, "He was full of life, smiling, excited for his future." Another added, "May God have mercy on him, and grant him a place in the vastness of His paradise." A third said, "His age cannot delay an hour or advance it for his family and wife; sincere condolences."

The wedding episode resonated across online communities in Egypt, prompting messages of sympathy for Hakam’s wife and family. Witnesses described how guests, dressed in celebration moments earlier, crowded around him and shouted for attendants as the scene turned from joy to tragedy. While the cause of death was later identified as a sudden cardiac arrest, the emotional toll on those present and the bride’s future remains a point of reflection for communities who shared in the moment through video.

The incident arrives just over a week after another wedding-related tragedy drew attention to the fragility of health at celebratory events. Adna Rovčanin-Omerbegović, a Bosnian nurse and influencer, fell ill at her wedding reception on September 13 and slipped into a coma hours after tying the knot. Bosnian media reported she was rushed to a local hospital, where she remained in a coma for two days before dying. The coincidence of two high-profile wedding illnesses within a short span has prompted discussions about health awareness and emergency preparedness at large gatherings.

In Aswan, family and friends are left to process a sudden loss that disrupted a day meant for celebration. Authorities did not immediately announce any foul play or external trigger in Hakam’s death, and officials emphasized that the later medical assessment pointed to a cardiac event. As the story circulated online, many commenters recalled the couple’s joy in the footage and expressed sympathy for the bride and relatives who witnessed the tragedy unfold on what should have been a festive occasion.