SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered an “immediate investigation” into a fire at a hospital in southeastern Baghdad that had been equipped to house coronavirus patients.
At least 27 people were killed and 46 others injured in the fire at Ibn Khatib hospital in the Diyala Bridge area of Baghdad on Saturday, occurred after an accident caused an oxygen tank to explode, Reuters cited medical sources as saying.
The Iraqi premier held an emergency meeting with a number of ministers, security leaders and officials at the Baghdad Operations Command headquarters in the early hours of Sunday.
“Such an incident is evidence of negligence and therefore I directed that an investigation be launched immediately and for the hospital’s manager and the heads of security and maintenance to be detained along with all those concerned until we identify those negligent and hold them accountable,” Kadhimi said.
“I ask for the results of the investigation within 24 hours and hold the negligent accountable, whatever it is,” he added.
Head of Iraqi civil defense unit Major General Kadhim Bohan said the fire broke out in the floor designated for pulmonary intensive care unit and that 90 people have been rescued from the hospital out of 120, according to state news agency INA.
An eyewitness who was visiting his brother when the fire broke out described people jumping out of window as the fire, caused by the explosion of an oxygen bottle, spread quickly throughout the unit equipped to house COVID-19 patients, Reuters reported.
Iraq’s healthcare system, already ruined by decades of sanctions, war and neglect, has been stretched during the coronavirus crisis.
The total number of people infected with COVID-19 in Iraq is 102,5288 including 15,217 deaths, the health ministry said on Saturday.
