Turkey: Eight COVID-19 patients were killed in Turkish hospital fire
State-run media related that Eight people died today in a fire at an intensive care unit treating COVID-19 patients in southern Turkey.
In fact, the Anadolu news agency reported that the fire began when an oxygen cylinder exploded at the privately-run Sanko University Hospital unit in Gaziantep. The agency also quoted a hospital statement determining the victims; they have between 56 and 85 years-old. The fire was speedily controlled.
The same statement stated that 14 patients undergoing intensive care treatment were transferred to other hospitals. Whereas, an investigation is ongoing.
According to government numbers, intensive care units in Turkey currently have a 74 percent bed occupancy rate because of the coronavirus outbreak. Despite that, the medical associations have alleged that hospitals are overrun.
