At least 82 COVID-19 patients have been killed in a devastating fire in a hospital in Iraq capital – Baghdad. 

The fire broke out at Ibn Khatib Hospital in Baghdad following explosion of an oxygen tank. 

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Patients who survived the incident without sustaining any injury were also shifted to other nearby hospitals. 

A total of 90 patients have been rescued from the hospital, news agency INA quoted head of Iraqi civil defense unit Major General Kadhim Bohan as saying. 

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The fire broke out in the floor reserved for Intensive Care Units (ICUs). 

Baghdad Governor Mohammed Jaber has ordered an enquiry saying that “those who did not do their jobs may be brought to justice”. 

The Iraqi Human Rights Commission also condemned the incident which according to many was a result of ‘negligence’. 

It said the incident was “a crime against patients exhausted by COVID-19 who put their lives in the hands of the health ministry and its institutions and instead of being treated, perished in flames”. 

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The Iraqi Human Rights Commission also demanded removal of Hassan al-Tamimi as Health Minister and “bring him to justice”. 

Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi has called for “an immediate investigation with those in charge at the ministry”.