Eight babies killed in hospital fire in Algeria

Eight babies died in a fire that set a hospital ablaze in Eastern Algeria at 3:40am Tuesday morning.

Their deaths were counted after the fire destroyed the maternity ward of the main hospital in Oued Souf, 500 kilomeres southeast of Algiers.

Dozens of fire engines were deployed by local emergency services to bring the blaze under control.

"We managed to rescue 11 babies, 107 women and 28 staff" said spokesman of local emergency services, Captain Nassim Bernaoui.

"Unfortunately we regret the deaths of eight babies, some from burns and others from smoke inhalation."

He added that the cause of the fire was not clear.

Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui ordered an inquiry into the blaze and sent Health Minister Mohammed Miraoui to the scene.