Fire in intensive care unit in Antep: Death toll rises to 12

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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The death toll from fire in an intensive care unit of a private hospital in southeastern Turkey increased to 12 today (December 21).

Referred from the private hospital to the 25 Aralık Public Hospital following the incident, Hamo Aslan (72) lost his life despite all efforts of the medical teams yesterday. Münevver Güler, who was also referred to a private hospital after the fire, lost her life today, bringing the death toll to 12.

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the incident took place in a COVID-19 intensive care unit at the SANKO University Hospital in Antep province at 4.45 a.m. on Saturday (December 19).

The fire was caused by the explosion of a high-flow oxygen therapy machine used to treat COVID-19 patients, according to a statement by the university. While the nine victims were reportedly all aged 56 to 85, 11 patients receiving virus treatment were transferred to nearby hospitals.

Police and fire teams were dispatched to the scene adn the fire was contained. 51 people, including doctors, health staff and security guards, were affected by the fire while moving the patients, the hospital said in a statement, adding that an investigation was launched into the incident.

Two prosecutors, along with an expert committee, are looking into the cause of the hospital fire, according to the prosecutor's office of Antep. (AÖ/SD)