MIDDLE EAST

Iraq says 60 killed in coronavirus hospital fire

Earlier reports said 92 people died in Al-Hussein Hospital fire

Monday’s tragic incident was the second in less than three months. AA

H. J. I. / AA

The Iraqi Health Ministry on Wednesday put the death toll from a fire that engulfed the coronavirus isolation ward at Al-Hussein Hospital in southern Iraq at 60.

Earlier reports said that 92 people had died in the blaze in Nasiriya city in Dhi Qar province.

-There are 39 identified victims in the fire in addition to 21 unidentified corpses- the ministry said in a statement.

Monday’s tragic incident was the second in less than three months.

On April 24, at least 82 people were killed and 110 others injured when a fire broke out at Ibn Al-Khatib Hospital in the capital Baghdad as a result of oxygen cylinder explosion.

Following the incident, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered the arrest of local officials, including the health director of Dhi Qar province, the hospital director and the civil defense chief over the fire.