There were 40 COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at the private facility. There were 10 staff members of the private hospital that was running the COVID Care Centre.
As many as 10 COVID-19 patients died on August 9 in a fire accident at a hotel, which was converted as novel coronavirus care facility in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, Krishna district Collector MD Imtiaz.
Ten people were killed in the mishap, news agency PTI quoted Vijayawada Police Commissioner B Srinivasulu as saying.
There were 40 COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment at the private facility. There were 10 staff members of the private hospital that was running the COVID Care Centre (CCC).
The hotel leased by a private hospital to treat COVID-19 patients had "violated" safety rules, according to Fire Safety Director Jairam Naik. It will face action as investigation has been initiated, he said.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock over the incident. The state government announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50 lakh each to the kin of the 10 victims.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “anguished by the fire” incident in Vijayawada. “My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover as soon as possible. Discussed the prevailing situation with AP CM @ysjagan Ji and assured all possible support,” PM Modi added.
(With inputs from PTI)