AMRI conflagration remains a mystery as investigators seek evidence in basement
12 Dec 2011
The cause of the major fire that led to the death of 94 persons, including scores of patients at Kolkata's Advanced Medicare and Research Institute (AMRI) on Friday, remains a mystery as forensic experts have been unable to find much evidence.
The fire, which is suspected to have broken out in the basement, devastated the hospital – claimed to be the best in the city by a magazine in a recent survey. The basement remains submerged under water that was released by fire brigade personnel to put out the fire.
The hospital management, a section of the medical staff and security personnel has been accused by relatives of victims of not just failing to rescue the patients, but even of preventing others from rushing to their help.
On Sunday, the police continued grilling the six directors of the hospital including R S Goenka, chairman of the Emami group, and S K Todi, chairman, Shrachi group, who are the two main promoters.
A local court had remanded the six directors to 10 days police custody. All of them have been charged with culpable homicide.
India's healthcare sector has seen the emergence of scores of multi-speciality hospitals, promoted by private groups and even corporates, in recent years.