In brief
A fire broke out early Monday in the trauma care ICU at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, leading to the deaths of ten patients. Eleven staff members were injured while attempting to rescue individuals trapped in the blaze. The cause of the fire is suspected to be an electrical fault. The state government has promised compensation to victims' families and has initiated a judicial inquiry.
Ten people have been killed after a fire broke out in the trauma centre of a government hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.
All the victims were patients, while 11 hospital staff are being treated for burns suffered while trying to rescue patients, state Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.
The fire - suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit - started in the trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack city around 02:30 local time on Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday).
Hospital fires are often reported in India, with many blamed on electrical faults. Last October, six critically ill patients were killed in an ICU fire in Rajasthan state.
In 2024, a blaze in the neonatal ICU of a medical college in northern Jhansi city killed at least 10 newborn babies. In 2021, fires in various hospitals also claimed multiple lives.
In Odisha, the blaze was brought under control after fire service personnel rushed to the hospital. Patients were moved to other departments inside the same hospital, officials said.
SCB Medical College and Hospital is one of the largest government-run medical facilities in Odisha. After visiting the hospital, Majhi noted that the fire affected the trauma care ICU as well as adjoining areas.
The state government has announced financial compensation for the families of the victims. Majhi stated that a judicial inquiry would be conducted into the incident, and strict measures will be implemented against those responsible.
Common causes of hospital fires in India include electrical short circuits, with hospitals being particularly vulnerable due to numerous electrical devices and oxygen systems. This incident has once again raised questions regarding hospital safety and emergency protocols in India.
