Ten people have been killed after a fire broke out in the trauma centre of a government hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. All the victims were patients, while 11 hospital staff are being treated for burns suffered while trying to rescue patients, state Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said.
The fire - suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit - started in the trauma care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack city around 02:30 local time on Monday (21:00 GMT Sunday).
Hospital fires are often reported in India, with many blamed on electrical faults. Last October, six critically ill patients were killed in an ICU fire in Rajasthan state. In 2024, a blaze in the neonatal ICU of a medical college in northern Jhansi city killed at least ten newborn babies.
In Odisha, the blaze was brought under control after fire service personnel rushed to the hospital. Patients were moved to other departments inside the same hospital, officials said. SCB Medical College and Hospital is one of the largest government-run medical facilities in Odisha.
Speaking to reporters after visiting the hospital, Majhi said the fire affected the trauma care ICU as well as an adjoining ICU and wards. He noted that medical staff and security personnel risked their lives during the rescue operation and some of them were injured. The government has directed officials to ensure proper treatment for those hurt in the incident.
The state government has also announced financial compensation for the families of the victims. Majhi said he has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and vowed strict action against anyone found responsible. Short circuits are among the most common causes of hospital fires in India, particularly due to the presence of electrical equipment and oxygen systems, which pose significant risks during emergencies.
