10 COVID patients dead in fire at Maharashtra hospital

AHMEDNAGAR: At least 10 COVID-19 patients were killed and several others injured in a major fire incident that erupted at around 11am in Mumbai’s Ahmednagar today.

The blaze erupted in the ICU (intensive care unit) of the Ahmednagar district hospital, where COVID-19 patients were admitted.

The cause of the fire, which has now been doused, is yet to be known. As preliminary information, the incident took place due to a short circuit.

Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident and wished speedy recovery of the injured people.

"Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire in a hospital in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest," he wrote on Twitter.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also condoled the deaths and directed a thorough inquiry into the incident. He also assured stern action against those responsible for the negligence.