Deadly fire kills dozens at a hospital in Baghdad

Several dozens have been killed with dozens more injured in a fire at a hospital in Baghdad, Iraq, where COVID-19 patients are being treated, according to the Iraqi Interior Ministry.

The fire erupted on Saturday night in the middle floor of the Ibn Khatib Hospital. The initial reports suggest that failure to comply with safety requirements for the storage of oxygen cylinders had caused the fire. Casualties are estimated to be at least 82.

The Iraqi civil defence was able to rescue around 90 among the 120 who were in the Intensive Care Unit. They have also succeeded in preventing the fire from spreading to the upper floors. On the streets, people saw hospital visitors jumping out of windows and emergency staircases to avoid suffocation. 

Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered an investigation and three day's of national mourning. He described the hospital fire as a "setback to the country's national security."

Iraq's healthcare system had suffered badly under the COVID-19 pandemic. Since mid-February, the number of patients has been increasing across Iraq.

Several countries have offered their condolences. Iraqi Kurdistan government offered its support to treat the patients and offer medical help. 

 

Source: commonspace.eu with various agencies. 
Picture: Scenes from the aftermath of the fire at the hospital in Baghdad. 

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held on August 31–September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China, brought together leaders of the 10 member states, as well as representatives from over 20 countries and 10 international organisations. The summit resulted in the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration and the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining key directions for cooperation and security. Armenia officially announced its intention to join the SCO on July 3, 2025, emphasising its commitment to the organisation’s core principles, territorial integrity, non-use of force, and inviolability of borders. Azerbaijan submitted its application later, in August. Currently, the process of admitting Armenia and Azerbaijan to the SCO is in the preliminary co-ordination stage, involving the attainment of partner status with the prospect of transitioning to full membership in the future.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

Stumbling blocks for Armenia and Azerbaijan on the Road to SCO Membership

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, held on August 31–September 1, 2025, in Tianjin, China, brought together leaders of the 10 member states, as well as representatives from over 20 countries and 10 international organisations. The summit resulted in the adoption of the Tianjin Declaration and the SCO Development Strategy until 2035, outlining key directions for cooperation and security. Armenia officially announced its intention to join the SCO on July 3, 2025, emphasising its commitment to the organisation’s core principles, territorial integrity, non-use of force, and inviolability of borders. Azerbaijan submitted its application later, in August. Currently, the process of admitting Armenia and Azerbaijan to the SCO is in the preliminary co-ordination stage, involving the attainment of partner status with the prospect of transitioning to full membership in the future.