Tragic Fire at Odisha’s Premier Hospital Claims 10 Lives
Cuttack: A devastating fire erupted in the trauma care intensive care unit (ICU) of SCB Medical College and Hospital here early on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 10 patients, officials confirmed.
The blaze broke out around 3am, prompting an urgent response from firefighters and hospital staff who worked swiftly to contain the flames and evacuate patients to safer areas.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi rushed to the facility following the incident and verified the death toll. According to the Chief Minister, seven patients perished inside the ICU, while three more succumbed during the process of being transferred to other wards amid the rescue efforts.
Five of the injured individuals are reported to be in critical condition. The Chief Minister attributed the fire to a suspected short circuit within the trauma care ICU.
In the aftermath, Majhi announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased patient. He also directed a judicial inquiry into the incident and pledged stringent action against those found accountable.
Additionally, 23 staff members from SCB Medical College and Hospital who participated in the rescue operations were admitted for medical attention after experiencing health issues, primarily smoke inhalation.
The SCB Medical College and Hospital, a major tertiary care centre in Odisha, serves a large number of patients from across the state. This unfortunate event has once again highlighted concerns over safety protocols in critical care areas of public healthcare institutions.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the exact sequence of events or additional casualties. Investigations are expected to shed light on preventive measures that could have mitigated the risk.