AP Guv, Health Min Express Shock Over Vijayawada Mishap

AMARAVATI: Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan expressed shock over the fire incident at Swarna Palace in Vijayawada, in which nine COVID-19 patients were killed and several others were injured on Sunday, August 9.

The Governor has ordered authorities to provide better treatment to victims injured in the fire mishap. He expressed deep condolences to the kin of the COVID-19 patients who died in the fire accident. He has prayed for peace to the souls of the deceased and expressed his deep sympathies for the kin of the deceased patients' families in this hour of grief.

Health Minister Alla Nani expressed grief over the loss of lives in a fire accident that took place at Swarna Palace Hotel in Vijayawada. He expressed profound sympathy to their family members. The minister said that the medical health department had already alerted the authorities and directed them to take remedial action. Medical health officials have been directed to provide better medical care to the injured, Nani said.

Speaking over the incident, the minister said that Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has ordered for an inquiry into the incident and to submit a detailed report over the same. He said the government would order an inquiry into the accident and AP CM has already announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 50 lakh family of each deceased COVID-19 patients in this mishap.

Vijayawada district in-charge minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy condoled the loss of lives of COVID-19 victims. He spoke to the district collector Imtiaz over the mishap and has ordered officials to provide better treatment to the injured.

Reddy has directed the Municipal Commissioner to inspect all the security facilities at the COVID-19 treatment centers operating in private hotels across the Vijayawada city. The district in-charge has ordered for a comprehensive investigation into the incident.