Blaze kills at least 10 in Indian coronavirus centre

At least 10 people died when a huge fire broke out at a Covid-19 treatment and quarantine centre in the southeastern Indian city of Vijaywada early on Sunday, officials said.

Emergency crews rescued up to 20 patients and medical staff from the centre housed in a hotel and took them to hospital, police commissioner B Srinivasulu told journalists at the scene.

Initial reports suggest the fire was caused by a short circuit in the centre, police and fire officials said.

Television footage showed rescuers wearing face masks and full body suits taking survivors out of the blackened building on trolleys.

“Several people who were trapped and injured have been rescued and moved to a government hopsital. Fire is under control but rescue and fire-fighting operations are still underway,” said Lakshmi, a constable at the police control room.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter he felt “anguished” and had discussed the situation with the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Reddy said the state would pay each of the victim’s families 5 million rupees ($66,656.00).

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Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: “Deeply anguished by the news of tragic fire accident at a Covid-19 facility in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh”.

“Centre assures all possible support to the state government. My condolences are with the affected families in this time of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he wrote.

Last week, eight Covid-19 patients died in a fire that broke out in the intensive care ward of a private hospital in India’s western city of Ahmedabad.