Around 40 other Covid-19 patients at Shrey Hospital were rescued and shifted to a civic hospital in the city.
By Abdul Hafiz Lakhani Ahmedabad
At least 8 patients died after a massive fire broke out at Shrey hospital in Gujarat`s Ahmedabad on Wednesday (August 5) night. The fire erupted at the fourth floor of the hospital located in Ahmedabad`s Navrangpura
All eight victims, including five men and three women, were novel coronavirus patients admitted to hospital. They were being treated at the ICU ward of the Covid-19 designated Shrey Hospital in Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad, an official said.
Rajiv Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Gujarat, said that Shrey Hospital has been sealed and 41 patients were shifted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Hospital. He added that bodies were sent for post-mortem.
“Eight coronavirus patients admitted in the ICU ward of Shrey Hospital have died due to the fire, which has been doused,” said an official of the Ahmedabad Fire Department.
A healthcare worker was also injured in the fire, the official added.
The fire broke out at the Ahmedabad hospital around 3.30 am in the ICU unit of, police said.
Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the flames. The fire was finally brought under control at 4.22 am, officials said. The cause of the fire is not known yet, he said.
Around 40 other Covid-19 patients at Shrey Hospital were rescued and shifted to a civic hospital in the city.
As per officials, around 50 Covid-19 patients were admitted to Shrey Hospital. Of these, 10 were in the ICU unit of the Ahmedabad hospital.
PM Modi offers condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the tragedy as he offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the fire.
“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,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted on Thursday morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the Ahmedabad hospital fire.
Rs 50,000 to be given to those injured due to the fire, the PM said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also expressed anguish over the incident and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased. “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a tragic fire accident at a hospital in Ahmedabad. My condolences and thoughts are with the affected families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the home minister said in a tweet.
Probe ordered
CM Rupani has ordered a probe in the incident of fire and has asked Sangeeta Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department), to lead the probe. The CM has ordered for a report within 3 days.
CM Rupani has also announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to families of victims of fire incident. Injured persons will get Rs 50,000 as compensation.
“Sangeeta Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) will be leading the probe. The CM has ordered for a report within three days,” the Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office said. (With media Input)
