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A devastating fire inside the Intensive Care Unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, claimed at least ten lives early Monday morning. Several patients also suffered severe burn injuries during the tragic incident.
According to preliminary information, the blaze erupted between 2:30 AM and 3 AM inside the trauma care centre’s ICU.
Officials suspect that an electrical short circuit triggered the inferno.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital soon after the incident. He met injured patients and reviewed the situation with officials.
କଟକ ଏସ୍.ସି.ବି ମେଡିକାଲ ଟ୍ରମା କେୟାର୍ ଆଇ.ସି.ୟୁରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣା ପରେ ଘଟଣାସ୍ଥଳ ପରିଦର୍ଶନ କରି ସ୍ଥିତି ସମୀକ୍ଷା କଲେ ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ। pic.twitter.com/TS5XHhcDHE
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 16, 2026
The Chief Minister announced an ex gratia of ₹25 lakh for each family of the deceased.
ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଏସ.ସି.ବି ମେଡିକାଲ ଟ୍ରମା କେୟାର୍ ଆଇ.ସି.ୟୁରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଦୁଃଖଦ ଅଗ୍ନିକାଣ୍ଡ ଘଟଣା ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଜାଣି ଗଭୀର ଦୁଃଖ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିବା ସହିତ ଘଟଣାସ୍ଥଳ ପରିଦର୍ଶନ କରିଛନ୍ତି। ଏଥିସହ ଅଗ୍ନିକାଣ୍ଡ ଯୋଗୁଁ ପ୍ରାଣ ହରାଇଥିବା ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଙ୍କ ପରିବାର ବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଇବା ସହ…
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 16, 2026
Authorities shifted twenty-three patients who were receiving treatment on the first floor of the trauma ICU to safer locations immediately after the fire broke out.
During the emergency evacuation, seven critically ill patients died while being transferred. Three others later succumbed to their injuries after doctors moved them to different ICUs.
The Chief Minister described the tragedy as deeply unfortunate and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and directed the Health Department to ensure advanced medical treatment for those undergoing care.
Officials reported that eleven hospital staff members, including security personnel, risked their lives during the rescue operation.
Many of them suffered smoke inhalation and minor injuries while evacuating patients. Doctors confirmed that their condition remains stable.
The state government has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident. Authorities will initiate strict action if the investigation identifies negligence.
Majhi also highlighted that the government has allocated ₹320 crore in the 2025-26 budget to strengthen hospital fire safety systems.
Another ₹400 crore will be allocated in the 2026-27 financial year for further improvements.
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