VIDEO: 8 killed in fire at hospital for COVID-19 patients in India
A relative reacts outside the Shrey Hospital after a fire broke in the intensive care unit of the hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Thursday. AFP
A major fire in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward of a private dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Ahmedabad claimed the lives of eight patients, including 5 men and 3 women in the wee hours on Thursday.
One seriously burnt patient is being treated while 40 other patients have been evacuated and shifted to the SVP hospital in Ahmedabad.
According to information, the fire broke out in the ICU ward of 'Shrey hospital,' a dedicated COVID-19 hospital in Navrangpura area in Ahmedabad at around 3:00 am on Thursday.
"Eight patients admitted in the ICU ward have died due to burning and asphyxiation. Looking at the primary information, it is assumed that the fire broke out due to a short circuit. Our officials are investigating the incident with the help of FSL experts.
The bodies of the victims are being sent for the post-mortem," said a senior police official of the Navrangpura police station.
The fire has claimed the lives of 5 men and 3 women, all corona patients admitted in the ICU ward, situated on the fourth floor of the hospital building. Several fire fighters were rushed to the spot and within hours brought the fire under control. Shrey hospital, is a 50-bed private hospital declared as a dedicated COVID-19 by the Gujarat government.
"We have shifted over 40 patients admitted in the hospital to the SVP hospital in Ahmedabad. One of the paramedical worker is also badly affected from burns. Stable patients and other patients on Oxygen have also been shifted to the SVP hospital. The shifting process is still on," said a hospital authority.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in the hospital.
"Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," tweeted PM Modi.
He also spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Mayor Bijal Patel regarding the situation and said that the administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.
The Prime Minister's Office has announced a compensation of Rs200,000 each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the kin of the deceased. "Rs 50,000 each would be given to those injured due to the hospital fire," PMO said in a statement.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to the micro-blogging website to express grief at the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to tragic fire accident at a hospital in Ahmedabad. My condolences and thoughts are with the affected families in this hour of grief," he said.
Meanwhile, Vijay Rupani, on Thursday ordered a probe into the fire incident.
The Chief Minister ordered the Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Home Sangeeta Singh and ACS Urban Development Mukesh Puri to submit a report within 3 days.
The CM has also announced an aid of Rs400,000 to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured, from the CM relief fund.
Indo-Asian News Service
