Ahmedabad: COVID-19 Hospital catches fire, 8 killed, 40 rescued
By Editor: Adhya Kalra
A massive fire broke out in a COVID-19 hospital in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on 6th August 2020, Thursday wherein 8 patients suffering from coronavirus were killed. The fire broke out in the intensive care section of the private hospital early morning.
8 fire engines and 10 ambulances were rushed to Shrey Hospital in Ahmedabad’s Navrangpura area when the blaze flared at 3 am. According to police, the fire broke out due to a short circuit in the intensive care unit (ICU) located on the fourth floor.
A total of 45 patients were admitted in the hospital at the time of the accident in the 50-bed hospital. out of which 8 patients- 5 men and 3 women were caught in the accident and could not survive. Rest were rescued timely and were shifted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, a civic hospital in the city.
A thorough investigation has been ordered by Vijay Rupani, Gujarat’s chief minister and the hospital has been sealed for now, as reported by ANI agency. Sangeeta Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) has been assigned with the probe and as per the orders by the chief minister, the report has to be submitted within 3 days.
Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolence by tweeting “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. The administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected”.
On the other hand, Union Minister, Amit shah tweeted “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 Prime Minister Office(PMO) in a tweet informed people about the compensation of Rs 2 lakhs from PMRF to the family of 8 victims and of Rs 50000 to the families of the injured in the accident.
Whereas Gujarat’s CM announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the eight victims and Rs 50000 to families of injured.
The manager of the hospital as also been detained by police. The bodies of the causalities were sent for post-mortem.
