THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
CUTTACK,
MARCH 16, 2026
A devastating fire in
the Trauma Care Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of SCB Medical College and Hospital
in Cuttack in the early hours of Monday claimed the lives of at least 10
patients, triggering panic and grief across one of Odisha’s largest
government-run healthcare institutions.
The blaze reportedly
broke out between 2:30 am and 3 am inside the Trauma Care department’s ICU,
where critically ill patients were undergoing treatment. Around 23 patients
were admitted to the unit at the time of the incident. Initial assessments
suggest that a suspected electrical short circuit may have sparked the fire,
though authorities have ordered a detailed investigation to determine the exact
cause.
As flames and smoke
spread through the ICU, firefighters, hospital staff, police personnel and
attendants rushed to the scene to launch rescue operations. Patients were
quickly evacuated and shifted to other wards and departments of the hospital to
prevent further casualties. Despite the frantic rescue efforts, seven patients
reportedly died inside the ICU, while three others succumbed during evacuation
and subsequent treatment. At least 11 hospital staff members sustained burn
injuries while assisting in the rescue operations, with some reported to be in
critical condition.
The deceased patients
have been identified as Ramesh Chandra Parida, Dasru Munda, Md Nyum, Gouranga
Chandra Barik, Sk Abdul Satar, Madhusudan Dalai, Krushna Chandra Biswal,
Rabindra Das, Cheru Parida and Menaka Rout.
Soon after the
incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, accompanied by Health Minister
Mukesh Mahaling, rushed to the hospital to review the situation and meet the
injured patients and affected families. Expressing deep grief over the tragedy,
the Chief Minister directed officials to ensure immediate and proper medical
care for the injured.
“I have directed the concerned officers for
proper treatment of the injured patients,” CM Majhi said.
The Chief Minister later
detailed the swift evacuation of patients from the affected unit, arrangements
for specialised medical care for the injured, and the announcement of ₹25 lakh ex-gratia compensation for
the families of each deceased patient. He also confirmed that a high-level
judicial probe has been ordered to investigate the cause of
the fire and examine possible lapses in fire safety protocols.
Leader of Opposition
and BJD president Naveen Patnaik expressed profound sorrow over the loss of
lives in a post on X (formerly Twitter), offering condolences to the bereaved
families and urging the state government to ensure the best possible treatment
for the injured. He also directed local BJD leaders, including the Cuttack
Mayor and the Tangi-Chowdwar MLA, to reach the hospital and provide immediate
assistance to victims’ families.
President Droupadi
Murmu also expressed deep grief over the tragedy. In her post on X, she wrote,
“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.”
Meanwhile, Narendra
Modi, Prime Minister of India, spoke with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi
over the phone on Monday morning, conveying his condolences and assuring full
support from the central government in the wake of the tragic incident at the
Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
