A fire at a government-run hospital in eastern India on Monday claimed the lives of at least 10 critically ill patients admitted to the trauma care unit. The incident occurred due to a short circuit, as confirmed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The blaze broke out early on Monday in the first floor of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha’s Cuttack city, with 23 patients present at the time of the fire. At least 11 staff members sustained burn injuries while attempting to rescue the patients.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the victims. He also announced a compensation package of $2,160 for those affected.
Electrical short circuits remain the leading cause of fires in India, as seen in previous incidents such as a fire at a private hospital in Tamil Nadu that killed six people and injured more than two dozen individuals in 2024. Additionally, a fire in Uttar Pradesh resulted in the deaths of ten newborns.