In a shocking development amid the Coronavirus outbreak, eight COVID-19 patients have died in the sequel of the blaze that broke out in the wee hours of Thursday at the COVID-19 designated private hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
According to reports close to the developments, the fire broke out at around 3.30 on Thursday and the city's fire department said that the eight COVID-19 patients, who were admitted in the ICU ward of Shrey hospital, have died due to fire which later got extinguished.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained and following the blaze, around 40 other COVID-19 patients, who were getting treated at the hospital, have been rescued and shifted to the city's civic hospital.
We are taking the help of fire and forensic experts in the investigation. A trustee of the hospital is being interrogated: Rajendra Asari, JCP, Sector 1, #Ahmedabad on Shrey Hospital fire incident which has claimed 8 lives#Gujarat pic.twitter.com/EeC2Mhwj00
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2020
Shrey Hospital sits on the Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad and it has been one of the designated hospitals to treat the COVID-19 patients. The victims include five men and three women. Ahmedabad police said they are taking the help of the fire and forensic experts for investigations into the incident and a trustee of the hospital has been taken for interrogation.
After knowing the development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and said, "Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Spoke to CM Vijay Rupani Ji and Mayor Bijal Patel Ji regarding the situation. 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. Spoke to CM @vijayrupanibjp Ji and Mayor @ibijalpatel Ji regarding the situation. Administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2020
The Prime Minister further said Rs 2 lakh will be provided as compensation for each victim from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and Rs 50,000 each would be provided to those who have injured due to the hospital fire. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has expressed his condolences to the affected families. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered to launch a probe into the incident. According to ANI, the preliminary inquiry has stated that the fire has broken out in the hospital due to short circuit.
Shrey Hospital has been sealed now. 41 patients shifted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Hospital. Bodies sent for post-mortem: Rajiv Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Gujarat Government#Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/Rr9SHVTKBX
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2020
The state of Gujarat has reported 66,777 COVID-19 cases so far as of Wednesday including 1,073 fresh cases and the state's death toll currently stands at 2,557.
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