Bhubaneswar, March 16
At least 10 patients have died after a fire broke out in an intensive care unit at a government-run hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, officials said.
The blaze erupted in the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in the early hours of Monday, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi saying seven patients died in the fire and three others later succumbed to burns or suffocation during evacuation.
Mr Majhi, who visited the hospital soon after the incident, said 11 hospital staff members were injured while helping rescue patients.
“There were 23 patients in the Trauma Care ICU and an adjacent ICU and ward. A total of 10 patients have died in the incident,” he told reporters.
Officials said the fire broke out between 02:30 and 03:00 local time. Fire service personnel, hospital staff, police and attendants helped move patients to other departments after the flames and thick smoke engulfed the unit.
The chief minister said the fire was likely caused by a short circuit, though the exact cause will be established after an investigation.
He announced a judicial inquiry into the incident and directed the director general of fire services to personally inspect the hospital and ensure compliance with fire safety norms.
“If anyone is found guilty after the judicial probe, strong action will be taken,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of each of those who died, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Mr Majhi separately announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh for the next of kin of each victim.
The chief minister, accompanied by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, reviewed the situation at the hospital and met injured patients and staff receiving treatment.
He said 11 medical personnel were hurt while taking part in rescue efforts and praised them for risking their lives.
The health condition of at least five of the 13 injured people was said to be critical, according to officials.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes inside the hospital, saying power supply was interrupted twice before the fire broke out and smoke quickly spread through the ICU.
One man said relatives and attendants joined medical staff in trying to move patients before emergency teams arrived.
Another said he broke a window and used water to help contain the fire, while also switching off electrical equipment and helping rescue several critically ill patients.
Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati said he was “deeply grieved” by the incident, while opposition leader Naveen Patnaik also expressed condolences and said he would visit the hospital.
The SCB Medical College and Hospital is one of Odisha’s largest public healthcare facilities, and the fire is likely to raise fresh concerns over safety preparedness in government hospitals.
PTI
