Witnesses narrated stories of utter chaos and inefficiency on the part of the authorities at the AMRI Hospital where a fire killed at least 61 people Friday.
Patients and their families were caught completely unawares and said the hospital staff were too late in waking up to the danger. Many said victims were suffocated after the fire started after 3 a.m. in the basement and then spread to other floors.
"We were sleeping. Then we heard someone screaming that there was a fire," said a woman who was inside the hospital.
Some said the the hospital authorities kept giving false assurances.
"We were told 'don't worry, nothing will happen'," said a man quoting the hospital staff.
Another man said locals and those around tried to help patients. Some had heart problems, but still they went to the fourth floor to try to rescue people.