As many as ten coronavirus patients were killed in a huge fire that broke out at a hotel which was being used as a Covid-19 facility in Andhra Pradesh's Vijaywada early this morning. There were 30 Covid patients and 10 staff members at the hotel at the time of the accident.

The fire broke out at 5:15 am, officials said, adding that it was brought under control within 30 minutes.

Twenty people have been rescued from the hotel so far, police said. Efforts are on to rescue others traped inside the building, they said.

"The incident took place around 5 am. Around 22 patients are being treated in hospital. We are evacuating the entire building. The reason of fire appears to be a short circuit, as per the preliminary report, but we will have to ascertain," Krishna District Collector Mohammad Imtiaz said.

Hotel Swarna Palace was being used by Ramesh hospitals on lease to treat Covid patients.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed shock and grief over the incident. He has instructed officials to conduct enquiry over the matter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah condoled the deaths in the fire incident and has assured all possible support to the chief minister.

"Anguished by the fire at a Covid Centre in Vijayawada. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover as soon as possible. Discussed the prevailing situation with AP CM @ysjagan Ji and assured all possible support," PM Modi tweeted.

"Deeply anguished by the news of tragic fire accident at a COVID-19 facility in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. Centre assures all possible support to the state govt.

"My condolences are with the affected families in this time of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured," Shah tweeted.

This the second fire incident at a Covid-19 facility in the country this month.

On Thursday, eight coronavirus patients died in a huge fire that broke out in the intensive care ward of a private hospital in Gujarat's Ahmedabad.

About 45 patients were admitted to the 50-bed hospital at the time of accident.