A wedding in Egypt took a tragic turn when the groom collapsed and died from cardiac arrest while dancing with his bride during their reception on Thursday, September 25, 2025, in Aswan Governorate.
Ashraf Abu Hakam was engaged in a traditional Egyptian Saidi dance with his new wife, holding her hand and wielding a Saidi stick—a wooden accessory used in the dance—when he suddenly fell to the ground in front of alarmed guests. Video footage documented the moment Hakam collapsed on the dance floor, lying motionless as attendees rushed to aid him.
Efforts to revive Hakam were unsuccessful, and medical professionals later confirmed he had experienced a sudden cardiac arrest. According to Gulf News, he passed away within moments of collapsing. The celebration, previously filled with music and traditional festivities, quickly shifted to a scene of mourning and shock.
The event was recorded by guests and rapidly circulated on Egyptian social media, eliciting numerous responses of condolences and disbelief. Friends and family who had been celebrating with the couple earlier found themselves grieving an unexpected loss.
A friend described Hakam as “full of life” and noted his excitement about his future with his wife. Social media tributes from acquaintances expressed shock at the abrupt change of events. Some mourners recalled celebrating Hakam’s engagement just a day before the wedding, highlighting the swift shift from joy to sorrow.
Community members voiced concern for the bride, with one individual expressing worry about the scrutiny she might face following such a public incident. The traditional Saidi dance they performed is common at Egyptian weddings, making the timing of the medical emergency particularly unexpected for witnesses.
The video shows both Hakam and his bride participating in the cultural dance, with guests celebrating around them before the medical emergency unfolded. The lively atmosphere of the reception, marked by traditional music and family celebrations, immediately turned to chaos and concern as guests grasped the seriousness of the situation.
This incident occurred nearly two weeks after a similar tragedy at a wedding involving a 26-year-old Bosnian nurse and influencer, Adna Rovčanin-Omerbegović, who died after becoming ill during her wedding reception on September 13, 2025. Rovčanin-Omerbegović fell ill shortly after her wedding ceremony in Ilidža, Bosnia, and was taken to a hospital where she fell into a coma and died two days later.
The Egyptian groom’s death underscores the unpredictable nature of cardiac events, which can arise without warning, even during moments of celebration and physical exertion. Medical experts note that sudden cardiac arrest can affect individuals of any age, often without prior symptoms or known heart conditions.
Wedding attendees described the immediate aftermath of Hakam’s collapse as disordered, with family and friends attempting to assist while emergency responders were contacted. The video documentation, initially intended to capture joyful memories of the couple’s first dance, instead became evidence of an unforeseen medical emergency.
Local media in Egypt focused on the community’s reaction, with many residents expressing sympathy for both families involved in the wedding. The story resonated particularly strongly given the cultural importance of weddings in Egyptian society and the expectation that such events symbolize new beginnings and happiness.
The incident in Aswan Governorate serves as a reminder of how swiftly medical emergencies can transform celebratory occasions into critical situations, regardless of the age or apparent health of those involved.
Hakam was laid to rest in his hometown of Aswan on September 27, 2025, where hundreds of relatives, friends, and neighbors gathered to pay their final respects.
