Post by : Shakul

A devastating fire at the Trauma Care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, claimed the lives of at least 10 patients early Monday morning, triggering panic inside one of the state’s largest government medical facilities.

According to officials, the fire broke out between around 2:30 am and 3:00 am in the Trauma Care ICU where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment. Preliminary reports suggest the blaze may have been caused by an electrical short circuit.

Hospital authorities, fire service personnel, police officers and attendants rushed to rescue patients trapped inside the smoke-filled unit. During the rescue operation, around 11 hospital staff members sustained burn injuries while trying to shift patients to safer wards.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital soon after the incident along with state Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling to review the situation and meet injured patients. Officials confirmed that 23 patients were evacuated from the affected ICU and nearby wards.

The Chief Minister said that seven patients died while being shifted from the ICU to other departments, while three others later succumbed to their injuries. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of each deceased patient.

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control after a rapid emergency response, preventing it from spreading further within the hospital complex. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess safety measures at the facility.

SCB Medical College and Hospital, located in Cuttack, is one of the largest government healthcare institutions in eastern India and handles thousands of patients from across Odisha every day. The tragedy has raised serious concerns about fire safety and infrastructure in public hospitals.

#India News #Survival #Lifestyle