Ten Covid-19 patients were killed in a massive fire accident on Sunday at a hotel turned into a coronavirus facility in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. After inspection, state’s health minister Alla Nani has ordered a probe into the matter to take action against the culprits and also informed that a committee would be formed which would submit its report within 48 hours.
Andhra Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 50 lakh for the family of each victim. He has also directed officials to take necessary steps to provide better medical services to the victims. Prime Minister Modi also called the chief minister to know about the incident and assured all possible help from the central government. President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed his grief over the unfortunate accident.
As per the reports, 10 out of 31 Covid patients lost their lives in Hotel Swarna Palace which was being used as a Covid facility on lease by Ramesh Hospital. Eighteen people were immediately rescued after the fire broke out. Minister Nani said that preliminary investigation found that the Ramesh Hospital management’s recklessness was the main reason behind the mishap. The fire safety director of Andhra Pradesh Jairam Naik also confirmed that Swarna Palace hotel violated fire safety rules. According to the initial investigations, the alarm bell didn’t ring at the time of the accident and there was a delay in opening the back door which led to the unfortunate accident.
A patient Pavan Sai who was safely rescued by the police said, “I was quarantined in Swarna Palace hotel. The fire happened at 3.15 AM. I broke the window and went outside and shouted. I informed the police and they saved me. I am thankful to them. I request the hospital management to treat us properly. I don’t know why I was sent to that hotel for treatment. There were no proper facilities in the hotel.”
After it was found out that Ramesh Hospital submitted wrong reports to the state government regarding treatment of Covid patients, the Andhra government lashed out at the hospital management and ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter. Reports have also found out the private hospital was charging high fees from patients for Covid treatment. Patients alleged that there was a clear-cut negligence of the hospital management. Police have filed FIRs on the private hospital and the hotel and cases have been booked under Sections 304(2), 308 read with 34 of IPC.