Virar Hospital Fire: Maharashtra govt announces ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for kin of deceased

Maharashtra government on Friday announced Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia for kin of the deceased who lost their lives after fire broke out at an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a COVID hospital in the Virar area of Maharashtra's Palghar district.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office, a high-level inquiry has been ordered to probe the Virar Hospital Fire incident.

Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde said, "this is a big accident and those found responsible won't be spared. The government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each to the families of those who lost their lives."

Atleast 13 patients died after a fire broke out at an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a COVID hospital in the Virar area of Maharashtra's Palghar district. The incident took place around 3:30 am on the second floor of the facility, the Corona Control Room, Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation informed. Three fire tenders of the Virar Fire Brigade reached the spot to douse the fire. It was extinguished by 5:20 am.

 Other COVID patients have been shifted to other hospitals. This Tragic incident comes just days after 24 COVID-19 patients lost their lives after an oxygen tanker leaked outside Dr Zakir Hussain Hospital in Nashik, Maharahtra.

This is a big accident. Those found responsible won't be spared. The government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each to the families of those who lost their lives: Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde on Virar hospital fire incident pic.twitter.com/Gzku3m65Ff

— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2021