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Patients evacuated as fire breaks out at historic Istanbul hospital

August 4, 2022 at 5:04 pm

Smoke rises as fire crews work to extinguish a fire that broke out at a hospital in Istanbul, Turkiye on 4 August 2022 [Ali Atmaca/Anadolu Agency]

Dozens of patients were evacuated from a Greek hospital in Istanbul after a fire erupted Thursday in the building, Anadolu News Agency reports.

Some 80 patients, mostly elderly people, in Balikli Greek Hospital were shifted to nearby health care institutions as the fire broke out and engulfed the roof of the historic building in the Zeytinburnu district.

The cause is still unknown and no one was injured, according to Istanbul Governorship officials.

Fire teams were dispatched to the scene and the fire was contained, officials added.

Following the incident, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, held a telephone conversation with Stati Leana, the Chief Physician of the hospital.

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Erdogan expressed sadness about the fire, according to a statement by the Turkish Communications Directorate.

He said he is closely following developments and stated that restoration for the damaged hospital will begin as soon as possible.

Earlier, Leana told reporters that no one was affected, even by smoke.