BAGHDAD, 25 April, 2021 (TON): At least 27 people were killed and 47 injured in a fire that broke out in a hospital treating coronavirus patients in the capital of Iraq, official sources said on Sunday. 

The incident occurred late on Saturday night at the Ibn Khatib hospital in southeastern Baghdad in the Diyala Bridge area, that had been equipped to house COVID-19 patients, medical sources at three nearby hospitals said. 

The fire broke out after an accident caused an oxygen tank to explode.  

A statement released by the country's civil defense said the hospital was dedicated to treating coronavirus patients on the eastern side of the capital.  

The statement added, “Civil defense teams and firefighting vehicles arrived at the scene to put out the fire and were able to prevent the fire from reaching the upper floors.” 

They also rescued some 90 patients and health workers who were surrounded by flames in the building, the statement said. 

"Many patients were affected by the cut of oxygen cylinders during their evacuation from the hospital, and others suffocated by the smoke," the statement added. 

A statement by the media office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said that al-Kadhimi has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, and that the families of the victims should be compensated and treatment be provided for the wounded. 

Iraq's healthcare system, already ruined by decades of sanctions, war and neglect, has been stretched during the coronavirus crisis. 

According to health ministry of Iraq total number of people infected with coronavirus in Iraq are 102,5288 including 15,217 deaths.