Turkey: Eight COVID-19 patients killed in hospital fire

Eight people were killed on early Saturday in the fire that erupted at the hospital’s intensive care unit treating COVID-19 patients in southeastern Turkey.

The incident occurs in the intensive care unit dedicated to treating COVID-19 patients in the Sanko university hospital due to the explosion of oxygen cylinders used for the treatment of patients affected by the novel virus.

The rescue operation quickly worked and the situation is under control. However, the people injured are between the ages of 56 and 85.

Fourteen other patients undergoing treatment with COVID-19 in the unit were transferred to other hospitals after the explosion. An investigation has been launched as well.

According to government estimates, intensive care units throughout Turkey reportedly have a 74 percent bed occupancy rate because of the epidemic.

The Ministry of Health registered 26,410 new cases on Friday evening over the past 24 hours, taking the toll to 1.98 million since March.

There was a new daily high of 246 COVID-19-related deaths, the ministry said, raising the number to 17,610.

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Previously, a strong earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale has been felt in Turkey.

The epicenter was reported below the Aegean coast in Turkey, however; no tsunami alert was issued.

According to the US Geological Survey, an earthquake measuring 17 on the Richter scale struck 17 kilometers off the coast of the western Turkish province of Izmir.

No casualties were reported in the latest reports from Turkey, but images from Izmir show buildings collapsing in the aftermath of the quake.

The quake affected Greece and Crete, according to the US Geological Survey.