- A devastating fire broke out in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, early Monday morning.
- At least 10 critically ill patients lost their lives in the blaze, while 11 staff members sustained burn injuries during desperate rescue efforts.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the incident as “deeply painful,” announcing immediate financial compensation for the bereaved families.
A tragic fire incident at the government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, has claimed the lives of at least 10 critically ill patients.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the blaze, which reportedly started in the early hours of Monday, March 16, 2026, erupted on the first floor of the facility, specifically targeting the trauma intensive care unit where 23 patients were receiving specialized treatment.
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Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, while addressing reporters at the scene, attributed the inferno to an electrical short circuit.
The fire spread rapidly through the ward, trapping those who were too ill to move. While 13 patients were successfully evacuated to other wards, 10 others succumbed to the smoke and flames
. The rescue operation also took a toll on the hospital personnel, with at least 11 staff members receiving treatment for various degrees of burn injuries sustained while attempting to pull patients from the burning unit.
This latest disaster highlights a recurring safety crisis in India’s healthcare infrastructure.
Building fires remain a frequent occurrence across the country, often driven by aging electrical systems, poorly maintained wiring, and a widespread disregard for fire safety regulations and equipment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences via social media, stating that the loss of life was “deeply painful” and announced a compensation package of approximately $2,160 for the families of each victim.
The tragedy in Cuttack adds to a grim tally of similar incidents in recent years.
In 2024, the nation was rocked by two major hospital fires, one in Tamil Nadu that killed six people and another heart-wrenching incident in Uttar Pradesh where 10 newborns perished in a neonatal ward.
Despite these repeated warnings, Monday’s event suggests that structural and electrical safety remains a critical vulnerability in India’s public health institutions.
Local authorities in Odisha have ordered a high-level probe into the incident to determine if there was negligence in the maintenance of the trauma center’s electrical grid.
For now, the hospital remains under heavy guard as forensic teams examine the charred remains of the ICU, and the community mourns the loss of 10 citizens who went to the hospital for healing but met a tragic end.
