Fener Greek Patriarch Visits Istanbul Hospital After Fire

Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew on Friday visited the hospital in Istanbul where a fire broke out.

Bartholomew was briefed about the damage caused by Thursday's fire.

Omer Arisoy, the mayor of Zeytinburnu district where the hospital is located, said the preliminary assessment shows that the building did not suffer any major damage.

"Even though simple renovations and repairs are needed in the building, there is no problem in the load-bearing elements," Arisoy said.

Some parts of the building, especially the roof, were gutted by the fire, he said.

A municipality team of 40 people is currently working to clear the debris, the mayor added.

After the fire broke out and engulfed the roof of the historic Balikli Greek Hospital, some 80 patients, mostly elderly people, in the hospital were shifted to a nearby health care institution.

The cause is still unknown and no one was injured, according to Istanbul Governorship officials. -