Senegal hospital fire: Eleven newborn babies die in Tivaouane

Eleven newborn babies have died in a fire at the maternity unit of a hospital in the western city of Tivaouane in Senegal.

The fire was caused by a short circuit, said the city’s mayor, Demba Diop Sy. Three babies were rescued, he added.

Senegal’s Health Minister Abdoulaye Diouf Sarr has since been fired.

The tragedy has set off a wave of grief and outrage throughout Senegal over the state of disrepair at some of the country’s health-care facilities.

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