NEW DELHI, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least five COVID-19 patients were killed early Friday in a devastating fire inside a hospital in India's western state of Gujarat, officials said.
The fire broke out inside the intensive care unit (ICU) of Shivanand hospital in Rajkot district, about 237 km west of Gandhinagar, the capital city of Gujarat.
"Early today a fire broke out inside ICU of a designated COVID-19 hospital in here in which five patients were killed," local media quoted officials as having said. "Six patients have been rescued, out of which one is said to be critical."
According to officials, 22 patients have been shifted safely to another hospital.
Preliminary investigations revealed the blaze started from the ICU of the hospital.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known, however, short-circuit is suspected to be the reason. Authorities have ordered a probe into the fire.
Officials said immediately after the fire, firefighters and fire tenders were rushed to the spot. The fire has been contained.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani expressed grief over the incident and announced a monetary relief for the families that lost kins in the fire.
In August this year, eight COVID-19 patients were killed in a similar fire that broke out on the top floor of a four-storey private hospital in state's Ahmedabad. Enditem
