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 a Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital[1] for COVID-19 isolation ward in Nasiriyah, Nasiriyah District, Dhi Qar Governorate, Iraq, on 12 July 2021.[2] The fire left at least 60 people dead and another 100 were injured.[3]

Background

It was just three months ago that the new ward was built, which had space for 70 beds in Nasiriyah's Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital. Following years of violence, most of the Iraqi healthcare system has been characterized as having bad conditions.[4] In recent months, this has been characterized to be the second devastating type of incident. In April, a fire tore through a coronavirus ward in Baghdad, leaving more than 80 people killed.[5]

Fire

On 12 July 2021, a fire erupted in a Covid-19 quarantine facility, at the Al-Hussein hospital in the city of Nasiriyah.[6] 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.[7] Reports have shown that the fire was triggered by an electrical cable that was faulty, exacerbated by oxygen cylinders which may have possibly exploded.[8] Firefighters and rescuers were seen searching through the hospital ward overnight, with victims' remains spread outside the hospital afterward.[9]

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.[10]

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.[11] More than 100 people were reportedly wounded in the fire at Nasiriyah's al-Hussein Teaching Hospital, according to Euronews.[12] Several COVID-19 patients who were on respirators asphyxiated or got burnt, as a result of the fire.[13] Meanwhile, regional officials as of 17 July, placed the death toll at 60, despite earlier reports suggesting 92.[3]

Aftermath

Two police vehicles were reportedly set ablaze by angry relatives of the victims, as they clashed with the Iraqi police.[1] According to BBC, 13 arrest warrants had been issued out, following the horrific event at the Nasiriyah teaching hospital.[4] 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.[14][15] President Barham Salih urged for accountability for those who were behind the incident, which he blamed on mismanagement and corruption.[16]

International reactions

Following the unfortunate event, Saudi Arabia's King Salman offered his sympathy to the Iraqi President Barham Salih.[17] 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.[18]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 "Iraqi Authorities Revise Down Death Toll in Covid Hospital Fire". The New York Times.
  4. 1 2 "Iraq hospital fire: Protests as Covid ward blaze kills at least 92".
  5. ↑ "Iraq: Dozens dead in tragic hospital fire outbreak".
  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.
  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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