Initial investigations indicate that the incident was caused by the explosion of an oxygen cylinder, with the victims dying of asphyxiation

Death toll rises to 64 after a fire at a hospital for COVID-19 in Iraq

photo_camera REUTERS/THAIE AL-SUDANI - Medical staff members after fire in Iraqi hospital

The death toll from a fire at a hospital in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriya to treat patients isolated with COVID-19 has risen to 64, with another 50 people injured, official sources said.

"The death toll from the fire at the isolation centre in Iman al-Hussein Hospital has risen to 64, with 50 injured," the official Iraqi news agency INA said.

Initial investigations indicate that the fire was caused by the explosion of an oxygen cylinder in the health centre and that the victims died from asphyxiation and other causes, according to state-run Al-Iraqiya television.

 Pie de foto: Incendio en hospital iraquí de atención a pacientes con coronavirus

Iraqi President Barham Saleh said on his Twitter account that "the disaster at Al-Hussein hospital in Di Qar province and previously at Ibn al-Khatib hospital in Baghdad is the result of corruption and mismanagement that undervalues the lives of Iraqis and impedes the performance of institutions".

Saleh also referred to the tragedy that occurred last April at the Al-Khatib hospital in the southeast of the capital Baghdad, when oxygen cylinders intended for COVID-19 patients also exploded, causing a large fire that killed 82 people and injured more than a hundred.

El presidente de Irak, Barham Saleh

Saleh added that "investigation and harsh punishment of the negligent is the consolation" of the victims and their families. "We need to strictly review the work of the institutions and protect the citizens," the Iraqi president concluded.

Last night, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazemi held an emergency meeting with several members of his cabinet to discuss the incident, according to a statement from his office.

Imagen de bombonas de oxígeno en hospital iraquí

Shortly after the incident, the director of health in Di Qar province, Saddam al-Tawil, resigned and the provincial government declared three days of mourning.

Iraq is now experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases, with 9,000 daily infections officially reported and only one per cent of its population vaccinated.

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