Iraq's prime minister says 'difficult' decisions lie ahead after deadly hospital blaze

Mustafa Al Kadhimi is seeking accountability for a disaster that has shocked a nation accustomed to tragedy

Firefighters extinguish a fire that broke out at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital, south of Baghdad, EPA

Aftermath of a fire that ripped through the intensive care unit of Ibn Al Khateeb hospital, south of Iraq's capital Baghdad. EPA

Parts of the walls and windows of the second floor of Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad were blackened by soot from the fire. EPA

At least 82 people died and another 110 injured when a fire broke out following the explosion of an oxygen tank at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. EPA

Investigative teams are looking for the cause of an oxygen tank explosion in an intensive care unit for coronavirus patients at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital, south of Baghdad. EPA

The Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in southern Baghdad where a fire broke out following the explosion of an oxygen tank on April 24, 2021. EPA

A firefighting vehicle arrives at the scene of a fire that erupted in a Baghdad hospital's intensive care unit for coronavirus patients. AP

First responders work at the scene of a fire at Ibn Al Qateeb hospital, south of Baghdad. AP

People and medical staff walk through the Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion. Reuters

People gather outside the Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion. Reuters

A Covid-19 patient is prepared for rescue in an ambulance outside Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad. Reuters

People look at dmage from an explosion and fire at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital in Baghdad. Reuters

People gather at Ibn Al Khateeb hospital after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion. Reuters

People walk through the Ibn Al Khateeb hospital after the oxygen tank explosion and fire. Reuters

Medics attend to a Covid-19 patient in an ambulance outside Ibn Al Khateeb hospital, after a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion. Reuters

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi said on Tuesday that he will make "difficult" decisions following a hospital oxygen tank explosion that ripped through wards full of trapped patients.

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

Mr Al Kadhimi said the government is evaluating the positions of ministers and officials and his Cabinet will be making “difficult” decisions in the coming days.

“Our goal is to serve our people,” he said.

The Iraqi leader suspended several officials on Sunday including Health Minister Hassan Al Tamimi and the Governor of Baghdad, Mohammed Ata.

He ordered an investigation to be completed within five days, and a report to be submitted to the Council of Ministers.

“The ministers must follow up on citizens' requirements, ensure that problems are solved as well as review safety procedures in all buildings,” Mr Al Kadhimi said.

“I categorically reject any exploitation of the state’s capabilities. The current government was selected to provide a service,” he said.

Iraq is set to hold early national elections in October, a response to mass protests that spread through the south and central Iraq in late 2019.

Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis took to the streets in Baghdad and the southern provinces to vent their anger at the government's inability to fight corruption and provide them with services and jobs.

"You must remember that you came to your position to serve the public, so before you consider running in the elections, make sure you will not exploit your posts,” Mr Al Kadhimi said.

US-Iran tensions 

The comments came as the US ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Tueller, said that Washington does not have any plans to close its embassy in Baghdad despite it coming under continuous rocket attacks.

Washington threatened Baghdad that it would shut its diplomatic mission there last September, if the Iraqi government did not stop armed militias from attacking its embassy.

It remains unknown who the attacks were conducted by but the US blames them on Iran-backed Iraqi groups.

“The weapons used to attack our interests are Iranian-made,” Mr Tueller said in an interview with Al Arabiya.

The American diplomat said the activities conducted by the militias undermined Iraq’s authority.

Mr Tueller made it clear that Washington is not “seeking to serve the relationship between Iraq and Iran".

Instead their ties “must be based on respect for sovereignty between the two sides, and that there should be no interference in each other’s affairs".

On the issue of the presence of US troops, Mr Tueller said Washington does not “intend to increase the number of American forces".

The ambassador said the “American presence will be determined through the US-Iraq strategic dialogue and the international coalition".