Ahmedabad, India: 8 coronavirus patients have died today in a massive fire that broke out in the ICU ward of the Shrey Hospital in the Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Officials reports suggest that the incident happened at around 3 AM today.
8 fire engines and 10 ambulances of the fire department were rushed to the hospital.
Rajesh Bhatt, additional chief fire officer of the Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services, said:
A staffer whose PPE caught fire ran out of the ward to douse it but the fire spread rapidly to the whole ward.
5 men and 3 women were admitted to the ICU ward, where the fire broke out.
Authorities said that 45 patients were admitted to the hospital when the fire broke out at 3 AM. The hospital only has the capacity to hold 50 patients at once.
The survivors were rescued and shifted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, a civic hospital in the city of Ahmedabad.
Gujarat Chief Minter Vijay Rupani said that a probe has been launched for the incident.
The hospital has been sealed.
Chief Minter Vijay Rupani released a statement about the incident, where he said:
Sangeeta Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department), will be leading the probe. The Chief Minister has ordered for a report within three days.
A blaze reportedly broke out due to a short circuit.
The bodies of the 8 patients were taken for postmortem, said the authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his thoughts about the incident on Twitter, where he said:
Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to CM @vijayrupanibjp Ji and Mayor @ibijalpatel Ji regarding the situation. Administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected (sic). Ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Rs. 50,000 each would be given to those injured due to the hospital fire.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victims, may their souls rest in peace.