NASSIRIYA, Iraq, July 12 (Reuters) – At the least 42 folks had been killed and over 60 injured in a fireplace doubtless attributable to an oxygen tank explosion at a coronavirus hospital in Iraq’s southern metropolis of Nassiriya, well being officers and police mentioned on Monday.
As rescuers combed the smoke-charred constructing in quest of extra our bodies, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi held an pressing assembly with ministers and high safety commanders to debate the tragedy, the premier’s workplace mentioned in a quick assertion.
Already decimated by battle and sanctions, Iraq’s healthcare system has struggled to deal with the coronavirus disaster, which has killed 17,592 folks and contaminated greater than 1.4 million.
“Well being crews carried charred our bodies out of the burning hospital whereas many sufferers had been coughing from the rising smoke,” a Reuters reporter on the website of the fireplace mentioned.
Well being officers at Nassiriya mentioned search operations on the al-Hussain coronavirus hospital had been persevering with after the fireplace was introduced below management, however thick smoke was making it tough to enter a number of the burnt wards.
“Raging fires have trapped many sufferers contained in the coronavirus ward and rescue groups are struggling to succeed in them,” a well being employee informed Reuters earlier than getting into the burning constructing.
Preliminary police reviews advised that an oxygen tank explosion contained in the hospital’s COVID-19 wards was the doubtless explanation for the fireplace, a policeman on the scene of the fireplace mentioned.
“I heard an enormous explosion contained in the coronavirus wards after which hearth had erupted in a short time,” mentioned Ali Muhsin, a hospital guard who was serving to carrying wounded sufferers away from fires.
In April, a fireplace attributable to an oxygen tank explosion at a COVID-19 hospital in Baghdad killed no less than 82 folks and injured 110 others. read more
Well being sources mentioned earlier the demise toll from Monday’s hearth might rise as many sufferers had been nonetheless lacking. Two well being employees had been among the many lifeless, they mentioned.
Offended relations gathered in entrance of the hospital and clashed with police, setting hearth to 2 police automobiles, a Reuters witness mentioned.
“Corrupt officers have to be held accountable for the fireplace and killing harmless sufferers. The place is my father’s physique,” mentioned one younger man as he searched amongst charred our bodies wrapped in blankets within the hospital’s yard.
Reporting by a Reuters reporter in Nassiriya, Alaa Swilam and Nayera Abdallah, extra reporting and writing by Ahmed Rasheed in Baghdad, enhancing by Richard Pullin
Our Requirements: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
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