Iraq health minister orders probe into ministry fire in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi Health Minister Abdulhussein al-Mansouri ordered an urgent investigation into a fire that broke out on a floor of the ministry building in Baghdad on Saturday. Ministry spokesman Saif al-Badr said the minister visited the site after the blaze and is overseeing the inquiry. The ministry said no important documents were damaged, adding that critical files and contracts are backed up both electronically and in physical copies. Backup copies are also kept at the Health and Planning ministries, according to the statement. Separately, al-Mansouri used a message to 2024 graduate resident doctors to reiterate his support for the government's demands in their case. The Health Ministry added that legal action will be taken against those found responsible once the investigation is completed.