8 patients die as fire breaks out at COVID-19 hospital in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad:At least eight patients lost their lives in a major fire that broke at a COVID-19 designated private hospital in Ahmedabad's Navarangpura area in the wee hours of Thursday.

Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Health Minister Nitin Patel said that the fire occurred at around 3 am this morning in the ICU ward of Shreya hospital in the posh area of Navrangpura locality. 

Three of the eight deceased were reported to be women.There were around 50 COVID-19 patients in the hospital at the time of the incident. 

Patel said that a high-level committee has been formed to probe the whole incident and submit the report within three days. "Though the exact reason of fire is not yet known, it is understood that it might have been triggered by a short circuit in any of the electronic equipment in the ICU," he added.

The remaining 41 patients have been safely shifted to government-run SVP hospital here.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Meanwhile, one of the four trustees of the hospital has been detained by the police for interrogation. It is also being investigated whether the hospital was fully fire safety compliant or not. The FSL and Fire department personnel have also been involved in the investigation.

PM condoles death by fire at Guj hospital, announces Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin of dead

New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed condoled the deaths in a fire that broke out at a COVID-19 designated hospital in Ahmedabad and announced an Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the dead in the fire.At least eight patients have been killed in the accident.

''Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to CM Vijay Rupani jiand Mayor Bijal Patel ji regarding the situation. Administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected," Mr Modi said in a tweet.

"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,'' his tweet further read.(UNI)