EIGHT newborn babies are believed to have died this morning in an Algerian hospital blaze.
The fire broke out in the maternity wing at around 3am GMT (4am local time) in the town of El Oued.
Health Minister Mohamed Miraoui said the blaze may have been caused by a defective anti-mosquito device.
It is not known how many adults were injured.
Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui has ordered an investigation into the incident.
Reports have noted it is the second fire to affect the maternity hospital in the last 18 months.
More to follow…