Ten killed in fire at India hospital intensive care unit

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Abhishek DeyDelhi

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ANI

All the deceased were patients, while 11 hospital staff suffered burn injuries trying to rescue patients

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 be 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 of the blazes being attributed to 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, a fire in the ICU of Vijay Vallabh hospital in the western city of Virar killed 13 patients receiving treatment for Covid-19. Another fire in 2021 at a newborn care unit in Bhandara district in western state Maharashtra killed 10 infants.

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.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the hospital, Majhi said the fire affected the trauma care ICU as well as an adjoining ICU and wards.

Majhi said medical staff and security personnel “risked their lives” during the rescue operation and some of them were injured, adding that the government had directed officials to ensure proper treatment for those hurt in the incident.

The state government has announced financial compensation for the families of the victims. Majhi said he has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and said strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible.

Short circuits are among the most common causes of hospital fires in India. Hospitals are particularly vulnerable to fires because they contain a lot of electrical equipment, oxygen systems and patients who often cannot be moved quickly during emergencies.

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