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Empresas y finanzas

Turkey probes deaths of 13 babies at hospital


    ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation after 13 newborn babies died within 24 hours in a state hospital in the western city of Izmir, state news agency Anatolian said on Monday.

    It was the second case in two months that has raisedconcern over standards of care for newborn babies in Turkey.

    Turkish television stations and websites reported that thedeaths were caused by an infection. The reports could notimmediately be confirmed and the nature of the infection wasnot clear.

    The Hurriyet newspaper website reported a doctor on a boardof experts examining the case as saying the infection wascaused by a liquid given intravenously to the babies.

    Media reports said the babies, all born prematurely, diedover the weekend at Tepecik hospital in Izmir, Turkey's thirdlargest city.

    "The number of babies that have died has increased to 13.We are looking into the deaths," Anatolian quoted Mehmet Ozkan,the head of the local health directorate as saying.

    The hospital is under quarantine and no more babies arebeing admitted into the centre, Anatolian said.

    In August, more than two dozen babies died in a hospital inAnkara.

    (Editing by Dominic Evans)