Doctor kills two and wounds six with knife in 'sudden psychotic outburst'

A doctor with apparent symptoms of mental illness went on the rampage in a Madrid hospital, lashing out with a knife against colleagues, a patient and a visitor, killing two and wounding six.

Victims' relatives were threatening to sue the hospital for negligence yesterday after Noemi de Mingo, 31, suffered a "sudden psychotic outburst" on Thursday and inflicted 28 stab wounds with a six-inch knife. Witnesses said she ran down the hospital corridors attacking everyone in her path, spattering the walls, the floor and her white coat with blood.

Four of her victims were being treated in intensive care yesterday. A man aged 75, who was visiting his wife in La Concepcion clinic, was in a critical condition after his aorta was cut. A doctor, Leila El Ouamaari, 26, and Jacinta Gomez, a patient who was to be discharged today, died from their wounds.

Dr Ouamaari's partner said he would sue the hospital for negligence, claiming that the hospital authorities "knew that [the attacker] was suffering from schizophrenia". Fernando Alberca, who had lived with her for seven years, said: "This incident could have been avoided. It was no accident."

Mr Alberca said Dr Mingo had been acting strangely for weeks, writing on her computer while it was switched off, and laughing alone. "Leila was afraid of her," he said.

The hospital's trade union representative, Antonio Gonzalez, demanded a full investigation. "This woman had serious behaviour disorders and no one did anything about them. This is a clear case of incompetence by the authorities, and possibly a crime of omission." Ms Gomez's family was also considering legal action.

Dr Mingo was eventually stopped and disarmed by a hospital guard, and taken to another Madrid hospital where she remained under armed observation yesterday.

The hospital authorities said they had no idea that Dr Mingo, who had worked at the hospital for three years, was schizophrenic, but the medical director, Manuel de Oya, acknowledged that she "suffered depressions" and had recently returned to work after being on sick leave.

Others receiving treatment for their injuries included three nurses, a nursing assistant and a doctor.