Ten patients die in fire at Indian hospitals intensive care unit

Fire Breaks Out at Odisha Hospital, At Least 10 Killed

A fire has broken out at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 people. According to officials, the fire started on the first floor of the hospital early on Monday.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a short circuit, which is a common occurrence in India due to inadequate maintenance of electrical wiring. The incident has left at least 11 staff members with burns while attempting to rescue patients.

Twenty-three patients were being treated in the intensive care unit when the fire broke out, and 10 of them died during the evacuation process. Five people are reported to be critically wounded, although it is unclear whether their injuries were caused by the fire or pre-existing conditions.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and vowed to take strict action against anyone found responsible. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered condolences to the families of the victims and announced compensation of $2,160 to affected families.

This is not the first time that a fire has occurred at a hospital in India due to electrical issues. In 2024, similar incidents were reported in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, resulting in significant loss of life.

Source: Al Jazeera