AT LEAST 10 patients were killed after a major fire broke out in an ICU in Odisha Government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack early on Monday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said. He said that around 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while rescuing patients to safety. The Chief Minister, who visited the hospital, has formed a six-member fact-finding team, which will investigate the reason behind the fire incident and submit its report by this evening. The fact-finding team headed by Development Commissioner D K Singh will visit SCB Medical College and Hospital and submit a report to the chief secretary by this evening, as per a statement issued by the CMO.

 

Majhi said that the fire probably originated from a short circuit. The fire broke out between 2.30 am and 3 am. Fire service personnel rushed to the hospital and doused the flames, an official said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of patients in the fire incident and announced that ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. “The mishap at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, is deeply painful. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the Prime Minister’s Office said on X.