Acharyak182 at 12:00, 31 January 2025

2025-01-31T12:00:53Z

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{{short description|Hospital fire incident}}
{{Old news|date=March 2024}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2022}}

The '''2011 AMRI Hospital fire''' was a major fire at a private hospital in [[Dhakuria]], [[Kolkata]], that occurred in the early morning of 9 December 2011. The hospital is part of a private hospital chain owned by the Emami & Sarachi group, known as [[AMRI Hospitals]]. The fire claimed 89 victims and was thought to have been caused by a short circuit in the basement. The spread of the fire was aided by the illegal storage of flammable material in the basement of the hospital.<ref name="NDTV">{{cite web |title=Kolkata: 89 killed in AMRI hospital fire; six board members arrested |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/kolkata-89-killed-in-amri-hospital-fire-six-board-members-arrested-566913 |website=NDTV.com |accessdate=1 June 2018}}</ref> After the incident the directors of the hospital were taken into custody. They were said to have caused the fire due to inattention of the hospital staff, workers, cleaners, and nurses.

==Incident==
According to eyewitnesses, it was reported that at around 3:30 a.m. smoke was seen coming out of the basement of the building.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/AMRI-hospital-fire-in-Kolkata-I-was-not-allowed-to-save-my-dad-saw-him-dead-in-ICU-says-a-witness/articleshow/11045926.cms|title=AMRI hospital fire in Kolkata: I was not allowed to save my dad, saw him dead in ICU, says a witness - Times of India ►|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-07-15}}</ref> There were 160 patients at the time of the incident, of which around 50 were in the ICU. By noon, the death tally reached 55.<ref name="NDTV"/>

==Repercussions==
[[File:AMRAI Memorial.jpg|thumb|250px|AMRI fire victim memorial, [[Rabindra Sarobar]]]]
[[File:AMRAI Memorial 2.jpg|thumb|250 px| Plaque with the names of AMRI fire victims, [[Rabindra Sarobar]]]]
[[Mamata Banerjee]], the Chief Minister, had initially put the tally at 61. The state Police filed an [[First Information Report|FIR]] against the hospital and had its license revoked; the fire department lodged an FIR against the hospital for inadequate fire preventive measures. Subsequent investigation revealed that medical waste and chemicals kept in the basement had aided the fire. The state government announced that two committees would probe fire plans in other parts of the city. The owners of the hospital, RS Goenka and SK Todi, surrendered at the local police station. The hospital authority later announced 5 lakhs compensation for the deceased's families.<ref>{{cite web|author=Firstpost |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/40-patients-trapped-in-fire-at-private-hospital-in-kolkata-151524.html |title=Horror hospital: Fire dept asked AMRI to clear basement in July |publisher=Firstpost |date=2011-12-09 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref>

The AMRI directors were taken into police custody on 20 December, during which the fire department found them guilty of negligence. The Finance Minister of India, [[Pranab Mukherjee]], visited the SSKM hospital on the night of the incident. Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] offered condolences to the victim's families and announced compensation of two lakhs to the kin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kolkata-minor-fire-at-amri-hospital-again/210636-3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108133130/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kolkata-minor-fire-at-amri-hospital-again/210636-3.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-01-08 |title=AMRI directors in police custody till December 20 - India News - IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=2011-12-10 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref>
The West Bengal government started paying compensation of 3 lakhs to the victims on 2 January 2012, many of which decided to use it fighting the case against the hospital.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mamata-leads-candle-light-vigil-for-amri-victims/211317-3.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729172902/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mamata-leads-candle-light-vigil-for-amri-victims/211317-3.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-07-29 |title=Mamata leads candle light vigil for AMRI victims - India News - IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=2011-12-13 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/kolkata-hospital-fire-lapses-that-cost-91-lives-157351 |title=Kolkata's posh Woodlands Hospital shows lapses like AMRI: Fire safety officials |publisher=NDTV.com |date=2011-12-12 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref>
On 3 January 2012, [[FICCI]] urged the West Bengal government to release those directors who are not responsible in "day to day operations", in order to prevent negative view for the investors. Mamata Banerjee rejected the request on the ground that the law will take its own course. On 5 January 2012, the city court rejected the bail plea of the accused and extended their custody to 19 January, considering the ongoing investigation and sensitivity of the case.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newindianexpress.com/nation/article327736.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812172956/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/article327736.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2014 |title=Custody of AMRI accused extended till January 19 |publisher=The New Indian Express |date=1986-12-17 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ficci-for-release-of-amri-hospital-directors_1632806 |title=FICCI for release of AMRI Hospital directors - India - DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=2012-01-03 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=PTI |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-03/news/30584823_1_amri-directors-ficci-mamata-banerjee |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812190536/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-01-03/news/30584823_1_amri-directors-ficci-mamata-banerjee |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 August 2014 |title=FICCI for release of AMRI directors, Mamata Banerjee says no - Economic Times |publisher=Articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com |date=2012-01-03 |accessdate=2012-10-23}}</ref>

On 1 February 2012, the [[Calcutta High Court]] directed the hospital management to submit treatment bills,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/court-directs-hospital-to-submit-treatment-details_756140.html|title=Court directs hospital to submit treatment details|publisher=ZEE NEWS | date=1 February 2012}}</ref> later the director was released on bail.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/kolkata-fire-amri-director-gets-bail_769660.html|title=Kolkata fire: AMRI director gets bail|publisher=ZEE NEWS | date=12 April 2012}}</ref> On 30 December 2013, the hospital unit was reopened partially,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/amri-hospital-s-dhakuria-unit--reopens-two-years-after-fire/1213605/|title=AMRI hospital's Dhakuria unit reopens two years after fire|publisher=INDIAN EXPRESS | date=30 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/amri-hospital-reopens/article5521222.ece|title=AMRI hospital reopens|work=THE HINDU | date=30 December 2013}}</ref> which it became fully operational by 5 July 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/west-bengal/amri-hospital-in-dhakuria-starts-admitting-patients-once-again_945370.html|title=AMRI Hospital in Dhakuria starts admitting patients once again|publisher=ZEE NEWS | date=6 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/two-units-of-amri-hospital-in-dhakuria-begin-indoor-facilities-114070500758_1.html|title=Two units of AMRI Hospital in Dhakuria begin indoor facilities|publisher=BUSINESS STANDARD | date=5 July 2014}}</ref>

Ultimately a total of 16 people stood accused in connection with the fire in July 2016, including the board members and several directors of the hospital.<ref name="IANS2016">{{cite news|title=AMRI Hospital tragedy: Kolkata court frames charges|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/kolkata/amri-hospital-tragedy-kolkata-court-frames-charges-2887133/|accessdate=29 August 2016|work=Indian Express|agency=[[Indo-Asian News Service]]|date=1 July 2016}}</ref> Amongst the charges were culpable homicide not amounting to murder under section 304 of the Indian Penal Code.{{fact|date=December 2022}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Disasters in India in 2011}}

{{coord|22|30|45.46|N|88|21|55.60|E|display=title}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:AMRI Hospital fire, 2011}}
[[Category:2010s in Kolkata]]
[[Category:Hospital fires in India]]
[[Category:2011 fires in Asia]]
[[Category:2011 disasters in India]]
[[Category:Urban fires in Asia]]
[[Category:December 2011 in India]]
[[Category:Disasters in West Bengal]]

2011 AMRI Hospital fire - Revision history

Acharyak182 at 12:00, 31 January 2025