Maputo hospital fire destroys oncology service
Staff evacuated 22 patients safely from Maputo Central Hospital's oncology unit after a fire broke out Sunday morning.
A fire severely damaged Maputo Central Hospital’s oncology service on Sunday morning, forcing the evacuation of 22 patients. Hospital staff successfully moved all patients to safety despite smoke, flames, and reported explosions within the building. The fire destroyed much of the recently renovated facility, which provides scarce medical services.
The immediate cause of the fire remains unknown, and investigators are looking into whether automatic detectors and alarms were operational. They will also examine the electrical system's inspection status, the effectiveness of fire doors, and the availability of functioning response equipment for staff. A nurse first reported smelling smoke around 07:10.
The incident raises questions about the systems in place to detect and contain fires at the hospital. The investigation aims to establish how the fire started and assess the preventative measures that were in place.