At least 64 people lost their lives after a blaze broke out at a coronavirus hospital in Iraq.

According to the initial reports, it has been suspected that the fire broke out due to the explosion of an oxygen tank in the hospital's COVID-19 ward.

The incident took place at a coronavirus hospital in Iraq's southern city of Nassiriya, health officials and police said on Monday.

Over 67 people have been reported to be missing in the incidence.

"Raging fires have trapped many patients inside the coronavirus ward and rescue teams are struggling to reach them," Reuters quoted a health worker who was about to enter the blazing building.

"I heard a big explosion inside the coronavirus wards and then the fire had erupted very quickly," said Ali Muhsin, a hospital guard who was helping to carry wounded patients away from fires.

In April, a fire caused by an oxygen tank explosion at a COVID-19 hospital in Baghdad killed at least 82 people and injured 110 others.

Health sources said earlier the death toll from Monday's fire could rise as many patients were still missing. Two health workers were among the dead, they said.

Angry relatives gathered in front of the hospital and clashed with police, setting fire to two police vehicles, a Reuters witness said.