Eleven newborn babies died in a hospital fire in western Senegal, the president of the country confirmed late Wednesday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the tragedy occurred at Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh Hospital in the transport hub of Tivaouane and was caused by ‘a short circuit’, according to Senegalese politician Diop Sy.
The country’s President Macky Sall announced on Twitter that 11 infants had died in the blaze as he expressed his ‘deepest sympathy’ for the mothers and their families.
“I have just learned with pain and consternation the death of 11 newborn babies in the fire that occurred in the neonatology department of the Mme Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh hospital in Tivaouane,” he tweeted.
“To their mothers and their families, I express my deepest sympathy,” he added.
The city’s mayor Demba Diop said ‘three babies were saved’.
