At least five coronavirus patients killed after a fire broke out in the ICU of a designated COVID-19 hospital in Gujarat's Rajkot in the early hours of Friday. Thirty other coronavirus patients undergoing treatment at the hospital were rescued.
The fire broke out in the ICU of Uday Shivanand Hospital in Mavdi area, where 33 patients were admitted, around 1 am. Seven of the patients were admitted to the ICU, fire brigade official J B Theva said.
"We rushed to the spot and rescued 30 patients after a call informing about the fire was received, he said.
The fire is under control. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained yet. The rescued patients have been shifted to other COVID-19 hospitals, he added.
Municipal commissioner Aditya Agarwal said that chief minister Vijay Rupani has ordered an inquiry after being informed about the incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed his deep pain at the loss of lives due to a fire in a Rajkot hospital and said administration is ensuring all possible assistance to those affected.
"Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to a hospital fire in Rajkot. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. Praying for a quick recovery of the injured. The administration is ensuring all possible assistance to those affected," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting Modi.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also expressed shock over the death of COVID-19 patients
"Distressed to learn about the loss of lives in a fire that broke out in a COVID hospital at Rajkot, Gujarat. My condolences to the bereaved families & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Vice President Secretariat tweeted quoting Naidu.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court expressing its anguish over death of 5 patients said, "Processions are being taken out & 80 per cent people aren't wearing masks. Rest have masks hanging on to their jaw. There are SOPs & guidelines but there's no will.
In August, eight COVID-19 patients were killed after a fire broke out on the top.
Also Read: Deadly 3rd wave of Covid in Delhi far from over: Doctors
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