Fatal hospital fire in Germany leaves 2 dead and over 30 injured

Two people have died following a fire at a hospital in the northern German town of Ludwigslust, near Schwerin, officials said on July 2.

A spokesperson for the Ludwigslust-Parchim district confirmed to dpa that both victims were patients at the facility. Police said more than 30 people were injured, although district officials added that none of the injuries was reported as serious.

Preliminary assessments indicate the fire may have started in a patient room. It remains unclear whether the two deceased patients were in the same room at the time.

Authorities said the hospital’s roof structure caught fire at around 4:30 am (06:30 Baku time). Emergency services evacuated patients and staff as the blaze spread. The total number of evacuees was not immediately confirmed.

By morning, flames and thick smoke were visible rising from the roof of the five-storey building. Outside, evacuees wrapped in emergency blankets sat on the grass in front of the hospital.

Medical staff were seen moving patients across the grounds, while some were able to leave unaided. Others were transported in wheelchairs or waited on benches outside, many covered with towels or blankets.

According to the hospital’s website, the facility has 160 beds and is the only hospital in Ludwigslust, providing basic and standard medical care for the surrounding region.

By Jeyhun Aghazada