New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced “deep anguish” at the loss of lives in a massive blaze at a hospital in Bhubaneshwar, calling it “mind-numbing”.

“Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the hospital fire in Odisha. The tragedy is mind-numbing. My thoughts are with bereaved families,” PM Modi said on microblogging website Twitter.

“Spoke to Minister @JPNadda (Health Minister) & asked him to facilitate transfer of all those injured to AIIMS. Hope the injured recover quickly.”

“Also spoken to Minister @dpradhanbjp and asked him to ensure all possible help to the injured and affected,” he said in a series of tweets.

At least 19 patients have died in a fire that broke out at the SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar this evening, in one of the worst such incidents involving a medical facility.