BAGHDAD, Aug. 10 (UPI) — At least 11 newborn babies died in a maternity ward fire at an Iraqi hospital, officials said Wednesday.
The fire took place at Yarmouk Hospital in Baghdad, where up to 19 women were burned or had smoke inhalation.
The newborns are believed to have died of suffocation, said Ahmed al-Rdainy, a spokesman for the Iraqi Health Ministry. All 29 women who gave birth at the hospital on Tuesday were transported to nearby hospitals in the city.
Government officials said the fire was likely the result of faulty electrical wiring.
