Yet another gut-wrenching tragedy has struck in Gujarat. Atleast, eight COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at a COVID-19 designated Shrey Hospital in Ahmedabad were eliminated down to the studs by a massive fire breakout occurred at 3 am in Ahmedabad’s Navarangpura area.
The fire broke out in the ICU ward on the fourth floor. Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered a thorough investigation into the fire tragedy.
The deceased include five male and three female patients who were undergoing treatment in the hospital. Approximately, 40 other patients admitted in the hospital were shifted to the civic body-run SVP hospital following the massive fire.
Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Sangeeta Singh and ACS (urban development) Mukesh Puri have been asked to look into the grave situation and submit a report within three days.
Mr Rupani has also asked them to fix the responsibility if there was any carelessness on the part of hospital management or if the hospital lacked foolproof fire safety measures in its premises. Primary cause of the fire is estimated to be a short circuit in the ICU ward.
After the incident, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Mukesh Kumar, Mayor Bijal Patel, Principal Secretary (health and family welfare) Jayanti Ravi rushed to the spot.
PM announces ex-gratia for the deceased
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of the deceased in the fire incident at the hospital in Ahmedabad early Thursday and said the administration is providing all possible security to the affected.
“Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Mr. Modi spoke with Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and city mayor Bijal Patel regarding the situation. The Prime Minister declared an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each from PMNRF to the family of those who have lost their lives due to the hospital fire in Ahmedabad. ₹50,000 each to those severely injured due to the hospital fire.