BAGHDAD, Apr 26 (NNN-NINA) – The death toll from a huge fire that broke out at the Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, treating COVID-19 patients in Baghdad, rose to 82, and some 110 were wounded, Khalid al-Mahana, spokesman of the ministry, told the official Iraqiya TV channel. “Many of the wounded are still in critical conditions,” al-Mahana said.
The incident occurred late Saturday night, when several oxygen cylinders exploded, setting a huge fire, said a statement by the civil defence.
Civil defence teams and firefighting vehicles arrived at the scene to put out the fire and were able to prevent the fire from reaching the upper floors, the statement said.
They also rescued some 90 patients and health workers, who were surrounded by flames in the building, the statement said.
“Many patients were affected by the cut of oxygen cylinders, during their evacuation from the hospital, and others suffocated by the smoke,” the statement added.
A statement by the media office of Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, said that, al-Kadhimi ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and that the families of the victims should be compensated and treatment provided for the wounded.
The incident came hours after the country’s Health Ministry reported 6,967 new COVID-19 cases, taking the national tally to 1,025,288.
It also reported 43 new COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the national total to 15,217.– NNN-NINA
