- Probably 10 people died due to a big fire in the government hospital on Monday, March 16
- The fire broke out in the ICU intensive care unit due to a short circuit
- Prime Minister Modi announced compensation to the families of the victims of the tragedy
India – At least 10 people have been confirmed dead following a massive fire at a government-run hospital in eastern India.
Source: Facebook
On Monday, March 16, a fire broke out on the first floor of the SCB Medical College and Hospital in the city of Cuttack in the state of Odisha, where critically ill patients were admitted in the trauma care unit.
What caused the fire in the Indian hospital?
Building fires are common in India due to lack of fire fighting equipment and frequent disregard of safety regulations.
Speaking to reporters, Prime Minister Mohan Charan Majhi told reporters that an electrical short circuit caused a fire in the casualty ward and resulted in the death of 10 patients.
“A short circuit caused a fire in the ICU intensive care ward where patients were being treated,” Majhi said. He revealed that 23 patients were on the floor at the time of the incident and that 10 died while being moved to a safe area. During the tragic incident, at least 11 workers suffered burn injuries while trying to rescue the patients.
“The paramedics and security personnel risked their lives to save the patients; at that time, they too got injured, and they too are under treatment,” Majhi added, as reported by the BBC.
He revealed that 23 patients were on the floor at the time of the incident and that 10 died while being moved to a safe area.
During the tragic incident, at least 11 workers suffered burn injuries while trying to rescue the patients.
“The paramedics and security personnel risked their lives to save the patients; at that time, they too got injured, and they too are under treatment,” Majhi added, as reported by the BBC.
What did Narendra Modi say about the hospital fire?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the incident on social media, offering his condolences and announcing a compensation of $2,160 to the families of the victims.
Speaking to the media, the patient’s attendant told painfully how her daughter was being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) when the fire broke out.
“My daughter was being treated in the intensive care unit (ICU), and I was sitting outside waiting, at that time I asked my daughter-in-law to come in. Immediately, a woman from inside the ICU shouted in Hindi. Since my home is Angul, I could not understand what she was saying. At first, I thought someone was facing a problem inside. But immediately I saw that the ICU room was full of smoke,” said the woman.
How the fire destroyed the Kakamega hospital
In August 2025, residents of Vikunga village in Shinyalu, Kakamega, were left helpless after a fire destroyed their only health facility.
The incident occurred when a gas cylinder reportedly exploded inside the station. Eyewitnesses said one of the workers was preparing rice for lunch when the gas cylinder caught fire and quickly spread to the building.
Villagers rushed to the scene to try to save medicines, documents and equipment, but the fire overwhelmed them. Police and county health officials later confirmed that valuables were destroyed.
The community is now facing temporary challenges in accessing health services while recovery plans begin.
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