Eleven killed by the fire of a Brazilian hospital

A Ifire that swept a hospital in Rio de Janeiro forced the sick to go down on the street on stretchers or wheelchairs and caused at least 11 deaths. After the evacuation, the medical staff had to attend patients in the street, some in wheelchairs and others lying on mattresses and blankets on the floor, before being transferred to secure sites. Survivors included elderly people and intensive care patients. Masked employees took medical supplies down the street, and clouds of smoke exploded under the fire on Thursday night. Preliminary information on the address of Badim Hospital, in the Tijuca district, north of the city, indicate a short circuit in a generator as possible cause of the fire, which was controlled soon after 20

Four firefighters were hospitalized night after fighting the flames at Badim hospital and about 90 patients were transferred at other hospitals, according to the fire department. The authorities are investigating the causes of the fire. In the midst of chaos, Frantic parents were looking for their loved ones, not knowing whether they had died in the fire or whether they were in other facilities.

Near the ambulances, Tania Ferreira told GloboNews that she had not found her 76-year-old mother, hospitalized after being hit several times. "He does not speak well. I have to find my mother, but no one gives information, "Ferreira said. "I'm here without knowing what to do, where to run, where to go. Can any one tell me? I'm desperate".

Rio Mayor Marcelo Crivella said 11 people have died. He visited the hospital on Friday morning and declared three days of mourning.