38 people died in hospital fire near Moscow

So far, 12 bodies have been found in the almost completely burned down buildings.

According to the Russian Ministry of Health, at least 38 people died early this morning (April 26) in a fire at a psychiatric hospital in the Moscow region.

Photo: RIA Novosti

"According to preliminary reports, 38 people died, including two medical workers," Health Ministry spokesman Oleg Salagay told RIA Novosti.

"There were three survivors - a hospital nurse managed to get two patients out of the burning building," Mr Salagay said, adding that there may have been 41 people in the single-storey building at the time of the fire.

Moscow police said the fire started at around 3:00 a.m., likely due to an electrical short circuit.

RIA Novosti quoted police sources as saying that most of the patients died in their sleep due to smoke inhalation.

Emergency services in the area said that 12 bodies have been found so far in the almost completely burned-down buildings. The search was hampered by thick smoke and dust at the scene./.

According to VOV - DT