BUCHAREST (ROMANIA) – The Romanian agency for emergency situations said that at least 10 people died on Saturday after a fire broke out in a hospital where coronavirus patients are being treated.
A fire broke out in the intensive care facility of the Piatra Neamt county hospital and the flames spread to an adjoining room. Officials are unsure of the reason for the blaze.
Officials said that seven people, including the doctor on call, are injured and in a serious condition.
Prosecutors said there would be a probe into the cause of the blaze.
According to Health Minister Nelu Tataru, the remaining patients who survived the fire would be shifted to a hospital in the city of Iasi.
The minister said the doctor suffered 40% burns and would be transferred to a hospital in the capital, Bucharest.
“In future legislation, all public hospitals will be coordinated by the health ministry,” Tataru said. At present, local hospitals and health centres are run by the county councils.
The minister said there would be an intensive care unit on a separate floor at the Piatra Neamt hospital.
It is the deadliest blaze in the country since 2015 when a fire broke out in a night club and 65 people died.