Two Burn Victims Remain Hospitalized After Iraq Highway Bus Fire That Killed 21

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Two patients with severe burns remained hospitalized in Nasiriyah on Tuesday, a day after a passenger bus caught fire on the highway between Baghdad and Dhi Qar province, killing 21 people and injuring more than 20 others. Hospital officials said most of the injured were Basra residents. Two Iranian citizens were also among those treated at Nasiriyah Education Hospital, according to the hospital director. Hospital Director Mustafa Julud said crisis teams were activated after the Medical Operations and Emergency Aid Department issued an alert. Most patients brought in with moderate and minor injuries were treated and discharged. Plastic Surgery Specialist Seyf al-Din Haydar said nine patients were admitted to the burn unit. Seven of those patients recovered and were discharged. Two patients remain in the hospital with burns covering 30 and 40 percent of their body surface area respectively. The more seriously injured patient will be transferred to Basra for further treatment. Dhi Qar Provincial Council confirmed the death toll of 21 in the accident.