A wedding in Egypt concluded tragically when a groom suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while dancing with his bride at their reception on Thursday, September 25, 2025, in Aswan Governorate.

Ashraf Abu Hakam was engaged in a traditional Egyptian Saidi dance with his wife when he unexpectedly collapsed. Hakam was holding a Saidi stick, a customary prop in the dance, when he fell to the ground in front of guests. The moment was captured on video, showing Hakam falling onto his back as attendees rushed to assist him.

Efforts to resuscitate Hakam were unsuccessful, with doctors later confirming a sudden cardiac arrest. According to Gulf News, Hakam passed away moments after collapsing. The event, filled with music and traditional festivities, transformed into one of sorrow and shock.

Footage of the incident quickly circulated on Egyptian social media, eliciting numerous responses of condolences and disbelief. Friends and family who had been celebrating soon found themselves mourning a sudden loss.

A friend described Hakam as “full of life” and noted his excitement about future plans with his bride. Social media was filled with tributes from acquaintances expressing shock at the unexpected incident. Some recalled their presence at Hakam’s engagement celebration just the day before, highlighting the abrupt shift from joy to mourning.

Community members expressed concern for the bride, with one individual noting the possible scrutiny she might face after such a public event. The traditional Saidi dance, commonly performed at Egyptian weddings, made the timing of the medical emergency particularly surprising for those in attendance.

The video depicts Hakam and his bride participating in the cultural dance, surrounded by guests, before the situation escalated into a medical emergency. The festive atmosphere quickly turned into chaos as the seriousness of the situation became apparent.

This incident occurred around two weeks after a similar event 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 ceremony in Ilidža, Bosnia, and was hospitalized, later falling into a coma and dying two days afterward.

The incident with the Egyptian groom underscores the unpredictability of cardiac events, which can occur without warning during celebrations. Medical experts note that sudden cardiac arrest can affect people of any age, often without prior indications or known heart issues.

Attendees described the aftermath of Hakam’s collapse as disorderly, with family and friends attempting to provide assistance while emergency services were called. The video, intended to capture joyful moments of the couple’s first dance, instead documented an unforeseen medical crisis.

Local media in Egypt focused on the community’s reaction, with many expressing sympathy for the families involved. The story resonated deeply given the cultural importance of wedding celebrations in Egyptian society, typically viewed as occasions of new beginnings.

The incident in Aswan Governorate serves as a reminder of how swiftly medical emergencies can alter the course of celebratory events, regardless of the age or apparent health of those involved.

Two days after the tragedy, hundreds of mourners gathered in Hakam’s hometown of Aswan on September 27, 2025, to bid farewell to the young groom whose celebration of love ended in heartbreak.