In a heart-wrenching tragedy, eight COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at a COVID-19 designated Shrey Hospital in Ahmedabad were killed in fire occurred at 3 am in Ahmedabad’s Navarangpura area.
The fire occurred in the ICU ward on the fourth floor.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered a probe into the fire tragedy.
The deceased include five male and three female patients who were under treatment in the hospital. Around 40 other patients admitted in the hospital were shifted to the civic body-run SVP hospital following the massive fire.
A relative breaks down at Shrey Hospital, Ahmedabad on Thursday. Eight COVID-19 patients died in ICU due to fire that broke out early in the morning.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sangeeta Singh and ACS (urban development) Mukesh Puri have been asked to probe the incident and submit a report within three days.
Mr Rupani has also asked them to fix the responsibility if there was any negligence on the part of hospital management or any the hospital lacked foolproof fire safety system in its premises.
The fire occurred in the ICU ward on the fourth floor. Primary cause of the fire is short circuit in the ICU ward.
After the incident, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar, Mayor Bijal Patel, Principal Secretary (health and family welfare) Jayanti Ravi rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.
PM announces ex-gratia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief at the loss of lives in a fire incident at a hospital in Ahmedabad early Thursday and said the administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.
“Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Mr. Modi spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and city mayor Bijal Patel regarding the situation.
The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each from PMNRF to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the hospital fire in Ahmedabad. ₹50,000 each to those injured due to the hospital fire.
(With inputs from Nistula Hebbar, PTI)
