President Droupadi Murmu on Monday voiced deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a devastating hospital fire in Cuttack, Odisha. She conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery to the injured.
The President expressed her anguish through a message on X. She described the incident as deeply distressing and extended prayers for the victims and their families.
Deeply distressed by the loss of lives in the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 16, 2026
The tragic incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when a massive blaze erupted in the Intensive Care Unit of the trauma centre at SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Preliminary reports confirmed that at least ten patients lost their lives, while several others sustained severe burn injuries.
Initial assessments indicate that the fire broke out between 2:30 AM and 3 AM. Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit triggered the inferno.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital and reviewed the emergency response.
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
He announced an ex gratia payment of ₹25 lakh for the families of each deceased patient.
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
Officials shifted twenty-three patients from the first floor of the trauma ICU to safer areas during the emergency evacuation.
Seven critically ill patients died during the transfer, while three others later succumbed in different intensive care units.
Majhi ordered a judicial inquiry into the disaster and assured strict action if negligence is established. He directed the Health Department to provide advanced treatment to those injured.
The Chief Minister also praised eleven hospital staff members, including security personnel, who risked their lives to rescue patients. Several rescuers suffered smoke inhalation but remain stable.
The state government has allocated ₹320 crore in the 2025-26 budget to strengthen hospital fire safety systems and ₹400 crore for the following financial year.
Also Read: His Efforts On Har Ghar Jal Are Improving Lives, Says PM Modi As He Greets CR Paatil On Birthday
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
