Hospital fire kills 18 coronavirus patients as India steps up jabs rollout

The fire broke out at the Welfare Hospital in Bharuch, western India (KK Productions/AP)

A fire in a Covid-19 hospital ward in western India has killed 18 patients, as a country grappling with the worst outbreak yet steps up a vaccination drive for all its adults.

On Saturday, India set yet another daily global record with 401,993 new cases, taking its tally to more than 19.1 million.