Eight people have died after a huge fire broke out at a private hospital for Covid-19 patients in Gujarat's Ahmedabad on the wee hours of Thursday morning.

The victims include five men and three women, who were being treated at the ICU ward of the Covid-19 designated Shrey Hospital in Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad, a fire brigade official said on Thursday.

About 45 patients were admitted to the 50-bed hospital at the time of accident; rest of them have been rescued and shifted to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, the official said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief at the loss of lives in the incident.

“Saddened by the tragic hospital fire in Ahmedabad. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,” the prime minister tweeted.

Modi spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and city mayor Bijal Patel regarding the situation.

"Administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected," he said.

An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the hospital fire in Ahmedabad, the PMO said in a tweet.

The Prime Minister's Office also said Rs 50,000 each would be given to those injured in the fire.