Iraq's Ministry of Health has denied reports that the death toll in the hospital fire in the city of Nasiriyah has reached more than 100, saying there were 60 victims, including 39 identified bodies.
A massive blaze erupted at the coronavirus ward of the hospital on Monday night, which prompted several political parties to distance themselves from the fire and hold the government of Prime Minister Mustafa Kadhimi fully responsible.
Several parliamentary blocs are trying to garner enough signatures to interrogate the Premier and to most likely withdraw the vote of confidence from his government.
The Prime Minister took several measures to contain the crisis, including forming a committee headed by the Minister of Sports and Youth Adnan Dirjal.
The Iraqi judiciary issued arrest warrants for 13 persons accused of involvement in the fire.
According to political observers, parties are trying to put the blame entirely on the government after it had pledged to carry out reforms.
It could take months to form a new cabinet if the government collapses, the observers said, adding that a constitutional vacuum would lead to the postponement of the elections.
Ihsan al-Shammari, head of the Iraqi Centre for Political Thinking, said that political parties are trying to distance themselves from the fire to deny any responsibility for mismanagement, poor planning, and corruption.
Shammari told Asharq Al-Awsat that the parties are also seeking to avoid public anger by holding the government responsible.
He said the parties aim to interrogate Kadhimi to prove they have prioritized the services sector.
