11 COVID patients died in a fire at Maharashtra's Ahmednagar hospital

In another major fire incident, at least 11 COVID-19 patients died and several others injured at a hospital in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar on Saturday, November 6.

According to reports, the blaze erupted in the ICU (intensive care unit) of the Ahmednagar district hospital, where 17 coronavirus patients were undergoing treatment.

District collector Rajendra Bhosale said that a short circuit may have started the fire, which had been brought under control.

Also Read: Fire breaks out at Nagpur's Well Treat Hospital; Four deaths reported

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has expressed his condolences over the deaths and has also ordered a probe into the incident. Moreover, the state government has announced an ex-gratia amount of ₹5 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased, said Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope.

“CM Thackeray has expressed condolences and ordered a detailed probe and action against those responsible for negligence,” the chief minister's office stated.

Also Read: 13 patients killed after fire breaks out at COVID-19 care center in Virar; CM orders enquiry

Bhosale has reportedly been asked to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit the report within a week.

In addition, Devendra Fadnavis, leader of opposition in the Maharashtra assembly, expressed his shock over the news and sent his condolences to the families of the victims.

Given the recent fire incidents across Mumbai’s COVID-19 hospitals, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had decided to conduct fire safety audits of all government, municipal, and private hospitals in the city.

Earlier, in a similar incident, at least 11 people were killed after a major fire broke out at a private COVID-19 hospital in Mumbai's Bhandup area in the early hours of Friday, March 26. The incident took place at Dreams Mall in Bhandup of Mumbai that houses the Sunrise Hospital on the third floor. However, it has come to light that the fire that was classified as a level-3 or level-4 broke out on the first floor of a mall at 12:30 am.

Read More: BMC Directs COVID-19 Facilities to Assess Fire Safety in the Wake of Bhandup Mall Fire

Besides, at least 22 COVID-19 patients died in Maharashtra's Nashik this afternoon, April 21, after an oxygen tanker leaked outside a hospital, disrupting supply to patients for around 30 minutes.