Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : New Delhi, March 16: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic fire that broke out at a hospital in Cuttack, claiming the lives of ten patients. The Prime Minister also announced financial assistance for the victims’ families and those injured in the devastating incident.

The fire erupted in the early hours of Monday inside the Trauma Care Intensive Care Unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital, one of the largest and most important government hospitals in the state of Odisha. According to preliminary reports, the blaze quickly spread through the ICU area, triggering panic among patients, hospital staff, and attendants present in the building at the time.

Emergency response teams rushed to the spot soon after the fire was reported. Firefighters and hospital authorities worked together to evacuate patients from the affected wards and bring the situation under control. Despite swift rescue efforts, ten patients admitted in the ICU reportedly lost their lives due to the incident. Several others were rescued and shifted to safer wards for treatment and observation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences through a message on the social media platform X, describing the loss of lives as deeply distressing. Expressing solidarity with the bereaved families, the Prime Minister announced that an ex gratia amount of ₹2 lakh would be provided to the next of kin of each deceased victim from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. In addition, those who sustained injuries in the incident will receive financial assistance of ₹50,000.

The Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi, has ordered a judicial inquiry into the cause of the fire. The state government has taken the incident seriously and initiated an investigation to determine whether any lapses in safety measures or hospital infrastructure contributed to the tragedy.

Authorities are currently examining the circumstances that led to the fire in the ICU ward. Initial assessments suggest that the blaze may have originated from within the trauma care unit, although the exact cause remains under investigation. Officials have begun collecting evidence and reviewing safety protocols at the hospital to understand how the fire spread so rapidly in a critical care facility.

SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack is a major referral centre serving patients from across Odisha and neighboring regions. The hospital houses several specialized units, including trauma care facilities and intensive care wards, making the incident particularly alarming for healthcare authorities.

Hospital administrators and state officials have begun reviewing fire safety arrangements across government medical institutions in the state. Ensuring adequate fire prevention systems, emergency exits, and rapid evacuation procedures has become a priority in the aftermath of the tragedy.

The loss of lives has sent shockwaves through the local community and the broader healthcare sector. Families of the victims gathered outside the hospital premises as news of the fatalities spread, while authorities attempted to manage the situation and provide assistance to those affected.

The judicial inquiry ordered by the Odisha government is expected to examine every aspect of the incident, including hospital infrastructure, fire safety preparedness, and emergency response. The findings of the investigation will likely guide future measures to strengthen safety standards in hospitals across the state.

The focus remains on supporting the families who have lost their loved ones and ensuring that those injured receive proper medical care. The tragic fire has once again highlighted the urgent need for stringent safety protocols in healthcare institutions where vulnerable patients depend on secure and well-managed facilities for treatment and recovery.