A fire from an oxygen cylinder explosion broke out at a hospital in southeastern Turkey. At least, 10 Corona virus (COVID-19) patients were declared dead.
Reporting from AFP, the Turkish Health Ministry said there were 10 corona virus patients in the intensive care ward in the Gaziatep area. The fire broke out on Saturday (19/12/2020) triggered by an explosion in the oxygen tank.
“We are very saddened by this tragedy,” Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said before a visit to the hospital.
It is confirmed that all the victims who died from the incident were COVID patients. Meanwhile, the patient affected by the fire was transferred to another hospital.
It is known that Turkey has recorded more than 1.9 million cases of COVID-19. More than 17,600 deaths since the pandemic started a year ago.
To prevent a spike in cases, the government is strengthening restrictions. It has been imposed from the late November with a total curfew over the weekend and partly during the week.