INDIA: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee visits hospital in Kolkata where a massive fire killed 89 people

Record ID: 1376441

  • Title: INDIA: Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee visits hospital in Kolkata where a massive fire killed 89 people
  • Date: 11th December 2011
  • Summary: KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (DECEMBER 09, 2011) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) EXTERIOR OF THE HOSPITAL PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL INDIAN FINANCE MINISTER PRANAB MUKHERJEE, ARRIVING AT THE HOSPITAL MUKHERJEE LOOKING AT THE HOSPITAL BUILDING MUKHERJEE TALKING MUKHERJEE LOOKING AT PAPERS (SOUNDBITE) (Bengali) PRANAB MUKHERJEE, INDIA'S FINANCE MINISTER
  • Embargoed: 25th December 2011 21:42
  • Keywords:
  • Location: India, India
  • Country: India
  • Topics: Disasters
  • Reuters ID: LVAAMNEJD9IY39TKGYUMFCBVXWLR
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: India's federal Minister of Finance Pranab Mukherjee visited the AMRI Hospital in Kolkata on Friday (December 09) after a fire gutted the facility killing 89 people.
    Those who were injured in the blaze which started early in the morning, were at the the SSKM Hospital and were undergoing treatment.
    The unexpected fire ripped through the seven-storeyed AMRI Hospital when most of the victims were asleep.
    Mukherjee said the incident was very unfortunate and reiterated that the state government has done what all is possible at such a grave juncture.
    "Those patients from the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), mainly the orthopedic patients who could not move around have been shifted here (SSKM Hospital). Of course, we share the grief of all those families who lost their dear and near ones in this unfortunate mishap," said Mukherjee.
    The fire is suspected to have started in the electrical department in the basement of the hospital and quickly spread to the upper floors through the air-conditioning shafts.
    Consequently, thick smoke engulfed the hospital and firefighters smashed windows to evacuate people down ladders to safety from upper floors. Other patients were rolled out on stretchers.
    Throughout the day, fire fighters and rescue workers continued to take out bodies of patients who choked to death after being trapped in the massive fire.
    AMRI hospital officials said that 90 patients had been safely evacuated from the burning building.
    Mukherjee praised the people who actively participated in the rescue operation.
    "Indeed, the neighbourhood youngsters who rushed forward for the rescue operations deserve all praise since they saved many lives through their voluntary efforts," added Mukherjee.
    This was the second fire at AMRI Hospital. In 2008, a fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit.
    AMRI hospital is part of a prominent chain of clinics in the city.
  • Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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