Eight dead after fire breaks out at COVID-19 hospital in Ahmedabad

At least eight people died after a massive inferno broke out at a private hospital for COVID-19 infected patients in Gujarat's Ahmedabad On August 6^th, 2020 morning.

The incident took place at Shrey Hospital in Ahmedabad's Navrangpura area at around 3 AM. Eight fire tenders and 10 ambulances of the fire department were rushed to the site immediately after the fire broke out. Five men and three women - admitted to the ICU ward - died.

About 45 patients were admitted to the 50-bed hospital at the time of accident; rest of them have been rescued and shifted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, a civic hospital in the city, an official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths in his home state. “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),” he tweeted this morning.

Meanwhile, a probe has been ordered by Gujarat Chief Minter Vijay Rupani and the hospital has been sealed. "Sangeeta Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department), will be leading the probe. The Chief Minister has ordered for a report within three days," read a statement Mr Rupani's office.

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An ex-ratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) has also been announced by the Prime Minister for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the fire in the hospital.

"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,” a tweet by the Prime Minister's office read.

According to sources, the fire broke out due to a short circuit. The bodies of the eight patients have been sent for postmortem.

It may be mentioned that with over 65,000 coronavirus cases so far, Gujarat is among the 10 worst-hit states in India by the outbreak. Around 48,000 patients have recovered so far. Across India, over 19 lakh patients have been affected by the pandemic so far; over 39,000 have died due to highly infectious disease.

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