ALBAWABA- At least 10 patients were killed and several others injured after a major fire broke out early Monday in the trauma intensive care unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital, one of eastern India’s largest government-run medical facilities.
The blaze erupted between 2:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m., reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit in the casualty department building, according to local authorities. The fire spread through the ICU area where critically ill patients were receiving treatment.
Hospital officials said 23 patients were in the ICU and nearby wards when the fire broke out. Seven patients died inside the unit, while three others died during emergency evacuation as staff rushed to move patients to safety.
At least 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while assisting rescue efforts. Firefighters responded quickly, bringing the flames under control and helping transfer survivors to other wards. Five patients remain in critical condition.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the tragedy, writing on X that the hospital fire in Cuttack, Odisha, was “deeply painful,” offering condolences to families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. He announced compensation from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, with ₹200,000 (about $2,200) to be paid to the next of kin of each deceased victim, and ₹50,000 (about $550) to those injured.
Chief Minister of Odisha state Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital following the incident, confirmed the death toll, announced ₹25 lakh compensation for each family (approximately USD 28000), and ordered a judicial investigation into the cause of the fire.
Officials said a full investigation is underway and pledged stronger safety measures across the state’s healthcare facilities to prevent similar incidents.
