Fire in Iraqi hospital, at least 50 killed : What you need to know

Picture Courtesy: CNN

• A Fire broke out in the ICU of a hospital in the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah late Monday. The ICU had COVID-19 patients in it. So far, 50 people have been confirmed dead and there are people suspected of being trapped inside. The evacuation effort is still in progress.

• The fire broke out in the ICU when an oxygen tank exploded. At least five people are critically injured and are being treated.

• Dr. Ammar al-Zamili, the spokesperson for the local health department told CNN, "The civil defense teams managed to control and put out the major fire that broke out at al-Hussein hospital in the city with the help of health workers and neighborhood volunteers”.

• Prime Minister of Iraq Mustafa Al-Kadhimi is expected to hold an emergency meeting with his ministers to figure out the cause of the fire and to make sure that the relief efforts are carried out in full force.

• This is the second incident of hospital fire in Iraq in less than 3 months. Earlier a huge fire broke out in a hospital in Baghdad where 82 people died.