At least 13 Coronavirus patients died as a massive fire broke out at a COVID-19 Center in Virar, in Vasai Virar municipal limits, Palghar district on Friday morning . The incident took place at Vijay Vallabh Hospital.

According to the police, a fire broke out at a COVID-19 Center following which affected patients were shifted to nearby hospitals. The fire is being suspected to have started at around 3.15 am due to a short-circuiting of the air conditioner in the intensive care unit.

Dr. Dilip Shah, official, Vijay Vallabh COVID care hospital stated that, ‘13 people have died after a fire broke out in ICU around 3am today. 21 patients including those in critical condition have been shifted to another hospital’.

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced a probe into the incident by a seven member committee and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh would be provided to the families of each victim.