Dozens die after fire in Covid isolation ward at hospital in southern Iraq

The Guardian ^ | Mon 12 Jul 2021 17.38 EDT

[BenLurkin]

At least 50 people have died after a fire tore through the Covid isolation ward at a hospital in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah.

The death toll is expected to rise, as search operations at al-Hussain coronavirus hospital continued after the fire was brought under control. Sixteen people were rescued from the burning building.

Initial police reports suggested that an oxygen tank explosion inside the hospital’s Covid-19 ward was the likely cause of the fire, a policeman at the scene of the fire said.

The blaze at the hospital is the second such tragedy this year. In April, a fire at a Baghdad Covid-19 hospital killed 82 and injured 110, sparked by the explosion of badly stored oxygen cylinders.

Many of the victims were on respirators being treated for Covid-19 and were burned or suffocated in the resulting inferno.

[Revel]

Be sure and add them to the “Killed by Covid” list.

[VTenigma]

Oh my, I’m conflicted.

[Rio]

Iraq just can’t get anything right...

[The MAGA-Deplorian]

"Terrible! Terriible news out of Bagdad hospital where 50 people died in a COVID ward due to fire. The Iraqi government would like to thank Govenor Cuomo for the suggestion!"