Centre ready to help Odisha in tackling fire incident: Nadda

New Delhi: Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that the Central Government was ready to extend any help required to tackle the fire incident that killed at least 22 persons at a private hospital in Bhubaneshwar.

"We have told the State Government that whatever help is required, will be extended by the Central Government. If there is any situation where the patients need our help we are ready for that too," said Nadda speaking to CNN News 18.

"Let us first of all take stock of the situation. We are deeply anguished with whatever has happened," added Nadda.

Earlier Nadda had tweeted : "Deeply saddened by the fire incident in Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar. My condolences rest with the bereaved families."

Though the official figures were not confirmed, at least 22 persons were killed and several injured after a major fire broke out in the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar on Monday evening.

While the government-run Capital Hospital`s officials confirmed receiving 14 bodies, eight bodies were received by the AMRI Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Over 50 patients were rescued from the dialysis ward and the adjoining Intensive Care Unit, the officials said.

Speaking over the issue Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who hails from Odisha said: "Due to a short circuit in a private hospital an unfortunate incident has happened today. "

Pradhan, who is the face of Odisha in Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s government, also said that the primary focus of the state government was to evacuate and rescue the people from the place of the incident.

"I spoke to the health minister and they are ready to extend their help to the state government," he said speaking to CNN News 18.

The government has set up a helpline number: 9439991226.