Numerous people clamoring around the hospital were relatives of the deceased babies, some of which hadn’t even been notified that their children’s lives were claimed by the fire.
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Ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Roudaini told the Associated Press that the fire was probably caused by faulty electrical wiring.
This is even as 29 women and nine babies were injured when the fire broke out in a corridor of the maternity ward of al-Yarmouk hospital, which lies in central Baghdad.
A health ministry source told the BBC that 19 of the children and women who survived needed treatment for burns and smoke inhalation.
” ‘I only found charred pieces of flesh, ‘ Omar said, crying”.
“I came with milk powder for him, and then this happened. they shut the electricity and the doors”, she said.
“They included Shaimaa Hassan, 36, who lost her two-day-old son”. “People started screaming “fire, fire” and running” she told. “I want my baby boy and girl back”.
Hassan Omar said he was upset that the hospital would not give him information about his twins other than that he may have to have DNA checks to see if they were among the dead.
“We asked the help of one of the employees, but she said, ‘I can not help you with anything because it’s a fire, ‘” Thijeel said.
Eshrak Ahmed Jaasar said she went to the hospital to visit her four-day-old nephew but could not find him. “My nephew is still missing and his mother was moved to another hospital ward”. She also announced in a statement, the sacking of the hospital director.
“We pay the hospital employees thousands of Iraqi dinars to allow us in to get our loved ones basic food and milk, which they can not provide”, she said.
Electrical fires are common in the Iraqi capital and elsewhere across the country because of poor wiring.
Others have pointed out how the government’s corruption has trickled down to effecting innocent children.
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The danger is also enhanced by a lack of fire escapes. ABC News reported that construction companies fail to follow accepted standards.
