After a fire broke out in the intensive care unit of an Indian hospital treating Covid19 patients near Mumbai, at least 13 patients have died.

Authorities stated that the blaze, which took place early on Friday, was extinguished and four survivors have been moved to nearby hospitals. This incident comes amid a deadly second wave of infections in India.

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The spike in the cases has overwhelmed hospitals, creating a critical shortage of oxygen, intensive care beds and ventilators.

Adding to the anxiety, on Friday India recorded 332,730 coronavirus cases, the highest one-day tally anywhere in the world for the second day in a row. Daily deaths from Covid-19 rose by a record 2,263 in the previous 24 hours.

The incident of fire took place at the Vijay Vallabh hospital in the Virar area of the western state of Maharashtra, which is about 70km (43 miles) north of Mumbai.

It remains unclear exactly how the blaze started, and Maharashtra’s chief minister has ordered an inquiry in this regard.

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The rising number of cases of Covid19 has resulted in a deepening healthcare crisis that has gripped several states in India.

The supreme court of India has asked the central government for a national plan by Friday, on bolstering supply, oxygen, medicine, treatment, and vaccines.