At least two patients died as fire erupts at a COVID-19 hospital in Romania’s central city of Ploiesti.
The incident is the fourth of its kind at healthcare facilities within a year in the country.
The police did not declare the cause of the fire, but an investigation was underway.
“The firefighters put out the fire fast, but unfortunately two people died”, Health Minister Cseke Atilla told local media.
“There are 2 victims and 16 injured people who are currently at Ploiești County Hospital,” the health ministry said in a statement.
According to the hospital’s director, the facility was renovated last year and the electrical installations and oxygen supply system were recently checked.
Interim Prime Minister Florin Citu sent his condolences to the families of the victims.
He further warned Romania’s healthcare system started suffering a fourth wave of coronavirus infections.
“I always demanded that the hospitals can resist the fourth wave,” Citu told reporters. “We are facing an overload of the medical system due to wave four. Everyone must ensure that all measures are ready for the safety of patients.”
Last month, nine COVID-19 patients died when fire broke out at a hospital in the Romanian port city of Constanta.
