The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Sunday expressed its deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to Baghdad and the brotherly Republic of Iraq, after 82 people were killed in a fire in a hospital in the capital overnight.

The Ministry’s spokesperson, Dhaifallah Ali Al-Fayez, affirmed the Kingdom’s solidarity with the brotherly Republic of Iraq in this painful situation, and the Kingdom’s condolences to the families of the victims and wishes for a speedy recovery for the injured.

The fire was caused by an oxygen tank exploding.

Later Sunday, the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi referred the Minister of Health and the Governor of Baghdad to investigation in connection with the fire. 

An official statement, a copy of which was received by France Press, said, "During an extraordinary session, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi decided to discuss the tragic accident at Ibn Al-Khatib Hospital (...) to withdraw the hand of the Minister of Health (Hassan Al-Tamimi) and the Governor of Baghdad (Muhammad Jaber Al-Atta) and referred them for investigation."

Also read: UPDATED: 82 killed in fire in Baghdad hospital