Four people, including an infant, a doctor, and a nurse, lost their lives after an ambulance carrying a family to Ahmedabad for urgent medical care caught fire near Modasa town in Gujarat’s Aravalli district around midnight on Tuesday.
According to the Aravalli superintendent of police, the ambulance was provided by a private hospital in Ahmedabad and the immediate cause of the blaze is still under investigation, pending a forensic report.
Three other people, reportedly family members, suffered burn injuries and are being treated in hospital. Authorities have launched a probe, while the tragedy has drawn widespread condolences and calls for improved emergency vehicle safety.
Urgent Medical Transfer Ends in Tragedy
The infant’s family had travelled to Modasa from Lunawada in Mahisagar seeking critical care for their child. As the baby’s condition worsened, doctors advised immediate transfer to a larger facility in Ahmedabad. A private ambulance with medical staff was arranged for the late-night journey.
Around 12:45am, just a kilometre from Modasa town, tragedy struck: a fire erupted inside the moving ambulance. Despite desperate efforts, the flames claimed the lives of the infant, the attending doctor and nurse, and left the vehicle’s remains charred. The three injured, including likely close relatives of the infant, were swiftly hospitalised.
Investigation and Reactions from Officials
Aravalli’s superintendent of police, Manoharsinh Jadeja, confirmed the fire and relayed that a forensic investigation will determine the exact cause, with all possibilities being examined. Early speculation points to a potential equipment fault, but officials are not ruling out any scenario.
The local administration expressed condolences and pledged a transparent probe to hold any responsible parties to account. The private hospital that operated the ambulance conveyed its shock, highlighting their commitment to safety and full cooperation with authorities.
Families and Community Mourn, Demand Answers
The victims’ family, who had already endured the ordeal of their child’s deteriorating health, have now been plunged into deeper grief. Community members and onlookers voiced concerns about emergency response standards, especially the adequacy of fire safety measures in patient transport vehicles.
The loss of trained healthcare workers has left a vacuum in both the local hospital and the broader medical fraternity. Eyewitnesses described a “scene of horror” as the blaze engulfed the ambulance so rapidly that escape was nearly impossible. The prompt arrival of fire and rescue services could only limit further escalation, as fatalities had already occurred within moments.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident is a painful wake-up call to the critical importance of stringent safety protocols and proactive checks, especially in vehicles meant to safeguard life.
When vulnerable patients and frontline workers risk further harm in moments meant to save them, society must collectively demand better standards, rigorous maintenance, and swift, empathetic action from both authorities and private providers.
