Tragedy in a Baghdad hospital: at least 82 dead …

At least 82 people died and 110 were injured this Saturday at Iraq because of fire in a hospital for coronavirus patients of Baghdad. The tragedy sparked the anger of citizens who called for the resignation of the responsible authorities.

“The Interior Ministry announces the death of 82 people and 110 injured in the accidental fire” of the Ibn al-Khatib hospital, the health ministry said in a statement released by state media.

The victims, which were processed for covid-19 photos, were connected to respirators when, it seems, oxygen tubes burst, causing a fire This quickly spread, according to the report provided by local firefighters and medics.

A first report from medical sources reported 23 deaths and later, a second, with an official source, had brought it to 53 deaths.

Medical sources who did not want to give their names told AFP news agency that the fire was started by the explosion of oxygen cylinders “stored without respecting the safety conditions”.

The tragedy sparked anger among Iraqis, after medical sources said the explosion was the product of negligence, often linked to the rampant corruption plaguing the country.

This is yet another shame in a country of 40 million people whose healthcare system has never recovered from four decades of war.

Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi has announced three days of national mourning and the opening of an “immediate investigation”, the results of which he wants “in 24 hours”..

The first suspended the chief of health of eastern Baghdad, the director of the hospital and the chiefs of security and technical maintenance. All are being questioned and no one can be released “until the culprits are tried,” Al Khadimi said.