5 Covid patients in ICU dead in Rajkot hospital fire, PM expresses grief

Five patients lost their lives after a fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit of a designated COVID-19 hospital in Gujarat's Rajkot in the early hours of Friday.

Thirty other coronavirus patients being treated at the Uday Shivananda hospital in Rajkot's Mavdi area were rescued.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the deaths.

"Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to a hospital fire in Rajkot. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones in this unfortunate tragedy. Praying for a quick recovery of the injured. The administration is ensuring all possible assistance to those affected," PM Modi tweeted.

Fire officials said the fire, which is believed to have been caused due to short circuit, was put out within 30 to 45 minutes. 

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has ordered a probe into the hospital fire.

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