UPDATE - Turkey: 8 killed in hospital fire due to oxygen machine

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; ADDS CONDOLENCE BY PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN

By Adsiz Gunebakan, Ramazan Ercan, Ridvan Korkulutas, and Kerem Kocalar

GAZIANTEP, Turkey (AA) - At least eight patients were killed on Saturday when an oxygen machine caused fire in a private hospital in southeastern Turkey, the hospital confirmed.

The incident in the Gaziantep province took place in the COVID-19 intensive care unit of the SANKO University Hospital where a fire was caused by a high-flow oxygen therapy machine used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, according to a statement by the university.

Seven patients died on the scene and one died on way to another hospital.

The victims, aging between 65-85, were: Mehmet Resit Saydanoglu, Fethiye Kirca, Naciye Ulukutuk, Abdi Hamzaoglu, Elif Akgul, Okkas Akbulut, Kahraman Tas, and Ali Saffet Kanpolat, the hospital identified.

After the explosion, 14 patients receiving COVID-19 treatment in the intensive care unit were referred to various hospitals.

Police and fire service teams were dispatched to the scene. The fire was contained in a short time.

An investigation has been launched into the deadly incident.

Extending his condolences over the incident on Twitter, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin wished Allah's mercy upon those who lost their lives and a speedy recovery to the injured people.

He said necessary measures were being taken on the scene by concerned authorities.