At least 24 people were killed and dozens injured in a huge fire that broke out in a hospital treating coronavirus patients here in the capital of Iraq, official sources told Xinhua on Sunday.

 

The incident occurred late on Saturday night when several oxygen cylinders exploded, setting a huge fire at Ibn al-Khatib Hospital, which is dedicated to treating coronavirus patients on the eastern side of the capital, said a statement released by the country's civil defense.

 

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, the statement said.

 

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.