Eleven newborn babies killed in horror hospital fire that pierced newborn’s wing – World News

We bring you the very latest updates, images and videos on this breaking news

Eleven newborns have died in a fire in the neonatal wing of a hospital in Senegal.

Senegal’s President Macky Sall confirmed the tragedy at a hospital in the town of Tivaouane, some 75 miles east of the Senegalese capital Dakar.

He tweeted: “I have just learned with pain and dismay that 11 newborns died in the fire at the Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital’s Neonatology Unit in Tivaouane.”

“My deepest condolences to their mothers and their families,” added Sall, who is on a state visit to Angola.

Mr. Sall did not provide further details about the fire.

Senegal’s Health Minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr said on Senegalese private television TFM that “according to preliminary investigations, a short circuit caused the fire”.

Mr Sarr, who is in Geneva for the World Health Assembly, said he would cut short the trip and return to Senegal immediately.

Demba Diop Sy, the mayor of Tivaouane, one of Senegal’s holy cities and a transport hub, said police and firefighters were still hospitalized but gave no further details.

Three babies were rescued from the blaze, according to the mayor.

Please check HERE regularly for updates on this evolving story. Receive email updates
the biggest stories of the day straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Get all the big headlines, images, analysis, opinion and video on the stories you care about by following The Mirror every time you see our name.
Follow The Mirror on Google News – CLICK HERE and click the star
Follow The Mirror on Apple News – CLICK HERE available on Apple devices
Follow The Mirror on Flipboard – CLICK HERE and click Follow.
You can sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news here @MirrorBreaking_ and follow us @DailyMirror for the latest updates.
Stay up to date with your most important news, features, videos and images throughout the day by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/dailymirror
Check out all of our social accounts to follow here: mirror.co.uk/social