The Serum Institute of India (SII) on the 21st of June, announced compensation of Rs. 25 lakhs to each family who lost their kin in the fire incident.
On the 21st of January, a massive fire broke out in Manjari plant of the SII in Pune, claiming 5 lives.
AccorThe fire broke out at 2:45 P.M., on the fourth and fifth floors of the SEZ 3 building in the Serum Institute premises was brought under control in two hours.
Five persons died and nine were evacuated from the Serum’s Manjari premises.
The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said contractor’s men were working on that floor (where the fire broke out.)
After the fire broke out, fire brigade officials rushed to the spot and evacuated 9 people and recovered five completely burnt bodies. Two of them were from Uttar Pradesh, UP, 2 from Pune and 1 from Bihar.
Cyrus Poonawalla, the Chairman and the Managing Director (MD,) of the SII announced the compensation.
Mr. Poonawalla said, “Today is an extremely sorrowful day for all of us at SII.
We’re deeply saddened and offer our condolences to families of the departed. We’ll be offering compensation of Rs. 25 Lakhs to each family, in addition to (the) mandated amount as per the norms.”
In addition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths caused by the fire incident.
PM Modi took to Twitter and said, “Anguished by the loss of lives due to an unfortunate fire at Serum Institute of India. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest.”
The President of India Ram Nath Kovind also expressed grief over the demise of five people who lost their lives in the fire incident at Serum Institute of India (SII), in Pune.
Mr. Kovind said, “The loss of lives in a fire accident at the Serum Institute of India in Pune is distressing. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish speedy recovery of the injured.” He further added, “The place where COVID vaccine is manufactured was not affected. I was informed that preparation was going on at this building (site of fire) to make Rotavirus vaccine.”
Speaking of the manufacturing of the SII’s Covisheild Mr. Adar Poonawalla said, “I would like to reassure all governments & the public that there would be no loss of #COVISHIELD production due to multiple production buildings that I had kept in reserve to deal with such contingencies at @SerumInstIndia.”
The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on behalf of the Maharashtra Government said, they have ordered a probe into the blaze.
Stay tuned for further updates.
