Baghdad, 26 April 2021 – WHO Iraq expresses pain and sorrow over the recent fatal fire in Ibn Khatib Hospital in Baghdad in the Diyala Bridge area on Saturday evening, where dozens of people lost their lives and others were injured.

 “WHO extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and to the people and the Government of Iraq.  We wish a speedy and full recovery to those who were injured,” said Dr Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative and Head of Mission.

“WHO stands ready to assist efforts by the Government of Iraq to respond to this tragic incident,” he added.

Following the fire, the Government of Iraq declared three days of national mourning, and the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered an investigation into the incident in the early hours of Sunday.

This accident further impacts Iraq’s fragile health, which is overwhelmed by internal conflict and successive displacement, and has been stretched even further by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Baraa Shaba
WHO Communications Officer
+96478000100244
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Pauline Ajello
Communications Officer
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+9647818774262

Ajyal Sultany
Communications Officer
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+9647740892878