A devastating fire broke out early Monday at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College, a major government hospital in Odisha, claiming the lives of ten patients. The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m., when most patients were asleep, creating a chaotic situation. Eleven hospital staff members were seriously injured while attempting to evacuate patients from the burning unit.
Firefighters rushed to the scene to control the blaze and assist with patient transfers. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi confirmed that a total of 23 patients were relocated to other wards. During the transfer process, seven patients died, and an additional three succumbed while receiving treatment. The injured staff are currently undergoing medical care.
CM Majhi, accompanied by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, visited the hospital immediately after the incident. He assured the affected families of full government support and announced compensation of ₹25 lakh each for the families of the deceased, emphasizing the state’s commitment to assist those impacted by the tragedy.
Authorities have been instructed to conduct a full judicial inquiry into the fire to determine its cause and hold responsible parties accountable. The Chief Minister stressed the need for stricter safety measures in hospital ICUs to prevent such incidents in the future.