NEW DELHI: A devastating fire at a government-run hospital in eastern India has claimed the lives of at least 10 critically ill patients, according to officials.
The incident occurred early Monday morning on the first floor of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, located in the state of Odisha.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated that the blaze was triggered by an electrical short circuit in the trauma intensive care unit (ICU), where several patients were receiving critical treatment.
The fire quickly spread through the ward, creating panic among staff and patients. Despite efforts to evacuate those inside, ten patients tragically lost their lives.
Emergency teams rushed to the scene, and hospital staff worked alongside firefighters to control the flames and move other patients to safer wards. At least 11 hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while attempting to rescue those trapped inside the ICU.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling the incident “deeply painful” in a message posted on social media.
Hospital fires remain a serious concern in India, where inadequate fire safety systems, outdated infrastructure, and poor electrical maintenance often contribute to such disasters. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether negligence or safety violations played a role in the incident.
Similar tragedies have occurred in recent years. In 2024, a fire at a private hospital in Tamil Nadu killed at least six people and injured more than two dozen others. In another incident the same year, ten newborn babies died after a fire broke out in a hospital in Uttar Pradesh, raising further concerns about hospital safety standards across the country.
Experts and safety advocates have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of fire safety regulations, regular electrical inspections, and improved emergency preparedness in hospitals to prevent such heartbreaking incidents in the future.
