Iraqi health minister resigns after deadly fire

Iraqi health minister Hassan Al Tamimi resigned yesterday after a deadly explosion at a hospital last week.

At least 82 people were killed and 110 injured in a fire in the pulmonary intensive care unit on the second floor of Ibn Al Khatib Hospital in Baghdad’s Jisr Diyala district.

Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi approved the resignation after an investigation into the incident, his office said.

Hundreds of firefighters and residents rushed to the area after the explosion.

Videos circulated on social media showing patients’ relatives crying and beating their heads and chests in grief.

Emergency service officials said many patients died when they were taken off oxygen machines as the hospital was evacuated.