Massive Fire in Iraq?s Covid Hospital, At Least 82 Dead

Massive fire in a Covid hospital in Iraq’s capital Baghdad killed 82 people Sunday. An explosion in an Oxygen cylinder caused the fire.

Within minutes, many floors were up in flames.

The hospital, Ibn al-Khatib, is dedicated to treating Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms.

The Associated Press reported at least 28 patients who died in the fire were on ventilator support.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi called an emergency meeting of the cabinet and suspended Health Minister Hasan al-Tamimi and Baghdad’s Governor Muhammad Jaber.

Many other senior officials of the health department were suspended and fired.

Iraq is fighting a deadly second wave of the Covid-19 virus. More than 15000 people have succumbed to Covid-19.

Many of the dead bodies were burnt beyond recognition.