Covid patients killed in fire at hospital in India
In August, eight coronavirus patients were killed in a fire which broke out in a hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Five coronavirus patients were killed and six others suffered serious injuries after a fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a Covid-19 designated hospital in India on Friday.
The fire broke out at around 1am in the Uday Shivanand hospital in Rajkot, Gujarat, and has since been brought under control.
A total of 33 coronavirus patients, as well as hospital staff and doctors, were rushed to safety.
The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, but it is not the first such blaze in a Covid-19 ICU - facilities which include large numbers of flammable oxygen canisters as one of the key modes of treatment for coronavirus patients.
Pictures from the fire were shared across Twitter, showing chilling scenes from inside the hospital with charred beds, the destroyed ICU ward and staff carrying out rescue work.
The patients affected were relocated to another private hospital in the city. According to officials, there were seven patients in the ICU, out of which three died on the spot and two others while receiving treatment. The fire broke out in a three-storey hospital with the ICU on the first floor.
The chief minister of the state, Vijay Rupani, said he had ordered a probe into the matter and announced payments of Rs400,000 (£4,000) would be made to the families of those who died.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives, saying his administration had offered its support to those affected.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi pointed to a similar fire accident in the same state in August, when eight people died in the city of Ahmedabad.
“The news of fire in a Covid hospital in Rajkot is distressing. Similar fire broke out in August in Ahmedabad. The government must investigate seriously into these cases. My condolences to the family of the patients who lost their lives,” said Mr Gandhi.
This is the third reported incident of fire in a hospital in Gujarat, the home state of prime minister Modi, since the start of the pandemic. In September, a fire broke out in a hospital in the state after a ventilator caught on fire and exploded in the ICU.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments