11 Covid patients die in ICU fire in Ahmednagar

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 6

A fire broke out in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Ahmednagar Civil Hospital in Maharashtra this morning, killing 11 patients and injuring many others. The fire engulfed the ICU of the Covid ward where 17 patients were admitted. While 11 were killed, others were shifted to another hospital, said District Collector Rajendra Bhosle.

CM Uddhav Thackeray has ordered an inquiry and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the kin of the deceased. The DC said a fire audit of the new building, which was affected, had been done adding that a thorough probe was underway to determine the exact cause of the fire, though prima facie it seemed to have been caused by an electric short circuit. That was also the assessment of the Fire Department that conducted a preliminary probe.

Taking to Twitter, PM Narendra Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives and said, “Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire in a hospital in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families.” Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed grief and paid condolences. Seeking stringent action against the guilty, former CM Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident as “very shocking and disturbing”.

The Ahmednagar fire is another in a series of similar incidents in Maharashtra’s hospitals in the recent past.

PM expresses grief

• PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Anguished by the loss of lives in a hospital in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra... condolences to the bereaved families”
• Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik termed the incident “very serious”, noting that all hospitals had been asked to conduct fire audits

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.