Iraq’s health minister resigns over deadly hospital fire

Hassan al-Tamimi steps down after Baghdad COVID hospital fire killed more than 80 people and wounded dozens of others.

Iraq’s health minister has resigned, 10 days after a fire in a Baghdad COVID hospital killed more than 80 people. Hassan al-Tamimi, who joined the government with the backing of powerful Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr, stepped down of his own accord, a government statement said on Tuesday. The fire at the Ibn al-Khatib hospital, which killed 82 and injured 110, triggered outrage on social media, with a widespread hashtag demanding the health minister be sacked.