mismanagement. jomana karedsheh is joining me with more. what more are you learning about this tragedy? reporter: well, what we understand from local officials is that this fire broke out at a hospital south of baghdad late last night when it was packed with covid-19 patients and family members as iraq is going through its worst wave of the pandemic so far. as you mentioned, the least 64 people have been confirmed kill, more than 50 others injured. the number of those killed could rise officials are warning because many of those injured are in critical condition. the prime minister has ordered an investigation into the fire, but local health officials are saying that it started as a result of an oxygen tank exploding, the interior ministry
the flames soared high and spread fast. crews struggling to fight the fire to save those trapped inside fighting covid 19. rescue workers were unable to make it through the thick smoke. this morning, relatives were left to search for their loved ones among a pile of burnt bodies. the temporary covid award left mangled by the heat. the building was new, opened just three months ago, a basic structure tacked onto the side of the hospital, unable to withstand the force of what was likely an oxygen tank exploding. it quickly became a tinderbox. the front door was burning and the back door was closed so people couldn t get out, this witness says.