Odisha: 10 dead in Cuttack hospital fire; judicial probe ordered

A fire at SCB Medical College in Cuttack killed 10 and injured 11 staff. MP Manmohan Samal visited the site. The Odisha government has ordered a judicial inquiry, and both the PM and CM have announced ex-gratia for the victims' families.

Newly elected Rajya Sabha member Manmohan Samal visited SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Monday, following a tragic fire incident in the Trauma Care ICU, which claimed the lives of at least 10 people and left at least 11 staff members injured during rescue operations. Describing the incident as "unfortunate", Samal noted that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the Health Minister, Mukesh Mahaling, reached the hospital immediately upon receiving news of the incident. Speaking to ANI, Samal said, "The CM and Health Minister immediately reached on receiving the information... A judicial inquiry will be conducted... The Prime Minister also talked to the CM, and it is sure that the action will be taken on an immediate basis."

Judicial Inquiry Committee Appointed

Meanwhile, the Odisha Government appointed a judicial inquiry committee headed by retired District Judge Laxmidhar Biswal to investigate the SCB fire mishap. The committee is asked to submit its report within 60 days.

Ex-Gratia Announced for Victims

Earliee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said the mishap at the hospital was "painful" and offered condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured, the PMO also announced "an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister's National Relief Fund) to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Expressing deep grief over the incident, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. He later visited the site and directed authorities to ensure the safe relocation of all patients.

Eyewitness Account and Suspected Cause

According to local corporator Deepak Kumar Das on Monday, the incident occurred between 2:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. Speaking to ANI, Das said, "We came to know at 3 am that. So, I reached the hospital. The incident occurred around 2-2.30 am. It was raining at that time. As per the information available to me, a short circuit had occurred there, which led to this mishap...An inquiry will reveal whether the incident occurred due to an old AC or if there was another reason behind this." (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)