New Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday wrote to the Governor of Odisha condoling the loss of lives due to a massive fire at a Bhubaneswar hospital and prayed for the injured.
"I am sad to learn about the unfortunate massive fire at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar, in which a number of persons have lost their lives and many others are injured," Mukherjee said in his message to Odisha Governor S.C. Jamir.
"I understand relief operations are currently underway. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured and the families who have lost their near and dear ones," he added.
"My heart and prayers are with bereaved families and injured in the massive hospital fire in Bhubaneswar hospital," Mukherjee said in a tweet earlier in the day.
The President also called upon the state administration to tend to the grieving families and to take necessary steps to investigate the cause of the incident.
At least 19 persons were killed and over 100 injured in the fire that started on Monday around 7.30 p.m. at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar.
Initial investigation suggested it could have been caused by electrical short-circuit.
The ICU, dialysis and emergency units where the fire broke out were sealed for investigation," Health Secretary Arti Ahuja said.
An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.