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(Redirected from Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital fire) Hospital fire in Iraq
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Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital fire
Location of Dhi Qar Governorate in Iraq
Date12 July 2021
VenueAl-Hussein Teaching Hospital
LocationNasiriyah, Nasiriyah District, Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq
TypeFire
Deaths60
Non-fatal injuries100

A fire occurred at an Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital for COVID-19 isolation ward in Nasiriyah, Nasiriyah District, Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq, on 12 July 2021. The fire left at least 60 people dead and another 100 were injured.

Background

The newly constructed 70-bed ward at Nasiriyah's Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital was an attempt to alleviate poor conditions following years of violence that impacted on the Iraqi healthcare system. In April 2021, a fire swept through a coronavirus ward in Baghdad, leaving more than 80 people killed.

Fire

On 12 July 2021, a fire erupted in a Covid-19 quarantine facility, at the Al-Hussein hospital in the city of Nasiriyah. A medic at the hospital who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, suggested that the hospital was lacking in safety measures such as a fire alarm or sprinkler system. Reports have shown that the fire was triggered by an electrical cable that was faulty, exacerbated by oxygen cylinders which may have possibly exploded. Firefighters and rescuers were seen searching through the hospital ward overnight, with victims' remains spread outside the hospital afterward.

Also on 12 July, a small fire was reported to have erupted at the headquarters of the Iraqi health ministry, but no casualties were recorded as the fire was put out immediately.

Casualties

As of 13 July, at least 92 people were said to have been killed in the devastating fire at the hospital in southern Iraq. More than 100 people were reportedly wounded in the fire at Nasiriyah's al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, according to Euronews. Several COVID-19 patients who were on respirators asphyxiated or got burnt, as a result of the fire. Meanwhile, regional officials as of 17 July, placed the death toll at 60, despite earlier reports suggesting 92.

Aftermath

Two police vehicles were reportedly set ablaze by angry relatives of the victims, as they clashed with the Iraqi police. According to BBC, 13 arrest warrants had been issued out, following the horrific event at the Nasiriyah teaching hospital. The Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered the suspension and detention of the heads of civil defense and health in Nasiriyah, after his emergency meetings with senior officials. The director of the al-Hussein Teaching Hospital was also said to have been among those whose arrest warrants were issued by the PM. President Barham Salih urged for accountability for those who were behind the incident, which he blamed on mismanagement and corruption.

International reactions

Following the unfortunate event, Saudi Arabia's King Salman offered his sympathy to the Iraqi President Barham Salih. The UN Special Envoy to Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, also extended her condolences to families of the victims and called for the provision of a safer hospital environment.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Dozens dead as fire rips through Iraq COVID ward". Al Jazeera English. 12 July 2021.
  2. "Iraq hospital fire: Protests as Covid ward blaze kills at least 92". BBC News. 13 July 2021.
  3. ^ Arraf, Jane (15 July 2021). "Iraqi Authorities Revise Down Death Toll in Covid Hospital Fire". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Iraq hospital fire: Protests as Covid ward blaze kills at least 92". 13 July 2021.
  5. "Iraq: Dozens dead in tragic hospital fire outbreak". 13 July 2021.
  6. "Iraq hospital fire: Fire in Coronavirus Hospital in Iraq Kills at Least 86 People".
  7. "Anger mounts after 92 die in fire on Iraq COVID ward". Reuters.
  8. "Fire rages at Iraq Covid hospital in devastating footage". Independent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18.
  9. "Death toll rises to 92 in blaze at coronavirus ward in Iraq". Associated Press News. 13 July 2021.
  10. "Protests in Iraq as death toll from Covid unit fire rises past 92".
  11. "Death toll in Iraq COVID hospital fire rises".
  12. "Dozens killed in fire on coronavirus ward in Iraqi hospital". 13 July 2021.
  13. "Dozens die after fire in Covid isolation ward at hospital in southern Iraq". The Guardian. 12 July 2021.
  14. "Fire at Iraq Covid-19 hospital leaves dozens dead, more injured". 13 July 2021.
  15. "Iraq says 60 killed in coronavirus hospital fire".
  16. "More than 90 people killed in fire at Iraqi hospital treating Covid-19 patients". CNN International. 12 July 2021.
  17. "Saudi Arabia 'deeply saddened' after nearly 100 killed in Iraq COVID-19 hospital fire". Arab News. 13 July 2021.
  18. "Iraq prime minister orders arrests after hospital blaze kills 92". The National. 13 July 2021.
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