At least 10 patients dead after fire breaks out in hospital in Odisha's Cuttack

At least 10 patients died and 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries after a fire broke out in the trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha early Monday (Mar 16). The injured staff members sustained burns while evacuating patients from the intensive care unit. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has rushed to the hospital to assess the situation, officials added.

Multiple fire engines were deployed at the site as rescue and firefighting operations continued. According to eyewitnesses, the blaze broke out between 2:30 am and 3:00 am. While the exact cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, officials suspect a possible short circuit may have triggered the incident. Fire brigade teams managed to control the flames soon after reaching the hospital. However, officials said several patients who were on ventilator support in the ICU reportedly died due to suffocation during the incident. Authorities are yet to officially confirm the final death toll.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs. 50,000 for the injured.

After visiting the hospital, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated that the fire was likely triggered by a short circuit. Speaking to the media, he said that a judicial inquiry has been ordered into the incident. “...The fire broke out probably due to a short circuit. 23 patients were under treatment at the trauma ICU, the ICU adjacent to that, and the ward on the first floor. Seven of them died in the fire. They were all shifted after which three more died...Medical staff and security personnel risked their life in rescuing the patients; during this, they too sustained injuries, and they too are under treatment. I am directing a judicial inquiry into the incident. Strict action will be taken against anyone found responsible for the incident. Patients are under treatment in another ICU...”