Eight Covid patients dead as fire breaks out at hospital in Ahmedabad

In Gujarat, a major fire broke out in Ahmedabad’s COVID hospital in the wee hours today. According to police sources, at least eight COVID patients including three women died in the incident. Sources said that the fire started around 3:30 am in the ICU department of Shrey Hospital in Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad. Several fire tenders were rushed to the spot to control the fire. Many patients had been rescued by the police and fire department.

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that fire broke out in the ICU unit of the hospital. He said that the primary reason for the fire is likely to be short circuit. Government has ordered an inquiry into this incident by two senior IAS officers. Police and FSL experts have started investigations. Principal Health Secretary Dr. Jayanti Ravi and Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar rushed to the spot after the



incident. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed  grief and sorrow over the death of patients in the fire incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sadness over the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. In a tweet today, Mr. Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of injured persons.

The Prime Minister announced that ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees each would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives. He said, 50 thousand rupees each would be given to those who got injured due to the hospital fire.

The Prime Minister spoke to Chief Minister of Gujarat Vijay Rupani and Mayor of Ahmedabad Bijal Patel regarding the situation. Mr Modi said that the administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.