National

ETV Bharat / city

13 patients die as fire breaks out at Covid hospital in Palghar

13 Patients die as fire breaks out at Covid hospital in Palghar
13 Patients die as fire breaks out at Covid hospital in Palghar

By

Published : Apr 23, 2021, 6:51 AM IST

Updated : Apr 23, 2021, 12:20 PM IST

09:18 April 23

PM Modi expresses shock over the fire at COVID hospital in Virar

Vasai-Virar Hospital Fire Visuals

PM Narendra Modi expressed shock over the fire at a COVID-19 hospital in Virar and termed it 'tragic'. He also expressed condolences to those who lost their loved ones and wished that those who injured recover soon.

Also read:In Covid era, religion no bar for victims' last rites

The PM has also approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2,00,000 each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives and Rs 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured due to the hospital fire.

"Saddened by the loss of lives due to tragic fire at a Hospital in Palghar, Maharashtra. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the COVID-19 patients who died in the blaze and appealed to the state government to provide all necessary assistance to them. 

"Tragic news has been received from Vijay Vallabh COVID centre in Virar about the death of patients due to a fire. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. I appeal to the State Govt and Congress workers to provide all necessary assistance," the former Congress chief said.

(With inputs from agencies)

06:46 April 23

13 patients die as fire breaks out at Covid hospital in Palghar

13 Patients die as fire breaks out at Covid hospital in Palghar

Virar (Maharashtra): Thirteen COVID-19 patients died after a fire broke out at a COVID Center in Vasai of Palghar district on Friday morning. 

According to officials, the blaze broke out at 3 am in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Vijay Vallabh Hospital in Virar West. 

Dilip Shah, Director and CEO Vijay Vallabh hospital speaking about the tragedy which took place said that it was totally accidental and that thirteen patients lost their lives in the blaze. 

He added that around 95 patients were being treated in the hospital, and those in need of oxygen have been transferred to other hospitals.

Also read:Man charged in fatal oxygen leak in Nashik

However, the District Disaster Control Cell chief Vivekanand Kadam said that the fire was preceded by an explosion in the AC unit of the intensive care unit. The firefighters from the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation put out the fire within an hour, he added.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed grief and directed the local administration to probe the cause of the blaze. A statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office(CMO) said that Thackeray spoke to the district authorities on learning about the fire incident.  

He said that Vijay Vallabh Hospital is a private facility and a probe should be conducted on whether the fire safety measures were being followed there.

This comes two days after the tragedy in Nashik in which around 24 patients were killed at the Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital following the disruption of oxygen supply. 

With inputs from PTI

Last Updated : Apr 23, 2021, 12:20 PM IST

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

...view details