Nasiriyah hospital fire

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

• 2021 Baghdad hospital fire