Iraq says 82 killed in massive fire inside hospital ward treating COVID patients

At least 82 people died and 110 were injured when a massive fire ignited inside a Baghdad hospital ward treating critical COVID-19 patients, Iraq’s Interior Ministry said Sunday.

Early reports indicated the deadly blaze began Saturday night when an oxygen cylinder exploded in the intensive care unit inside Ibn al-Khatib hospital, prompting Iraq’s prime minister to fire key hospital officials for alleged negligence.

Iraq's Human Rights Commission said at least 28 of the victims were on ventilators battling severe cases of the coronavirus.