Terrible incident in the Republic of Senegal: during the night a fire broke out in a maternity ward. Eleven babies died. The government is now promising to review the technical equipment in clinics nationwide.

Eleven newborns have died in a hospital fire in West Africa’s Senegal. The fire broke out overnight in the maternity ward of the Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh clinic in the western city of Tivaouane, President Macky Sall wrote on Twitter on Thursday. According to initial reports, the fire was triggered by a short circuit and spread rapidly.

Health Minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr announced an independent investigation. The government also promised to subject the technical equipment of clinics nationwide to tests. A Tivaouanese resident who volunteered to support the rescue work told the German Press Agency that three babies had been rescued from the flames.