Fire tears through COVID ward, killing at least 64 people in Iraqi hospital

A fire tore through the COVID-19 ward of a hospital in southern Iraq killing at least 64 people, officials said on Tuesday. The Iraqi Health Authority said the Monday night blaze in the Al Hussain Educational Hospital, in the city of Nasiriyah about 160 miles south of Baghdad, left more than 50 others injured.

Officials said the fire was sparked by the explosion of an oxygen canister at the entrance of the temporary coronavirus ward. The flames spread quickly and blocked the entrance, leaving many patients and their family members trapped inside. The health authority said two medical workers and one guard were among the victims.