Fire at Cuttack hospital ICU kills 10 patients
Mar 16th 2026
A fire in the trauma intensive care unit at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, likely caused by a short circuit, killed 10 ICU patients and injured staff, prompting a judicial inquiry and government compensation.
- The blaze started early Monday on the first floor trauma unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha.
- Ten of 23 ICU patients died while being shifted to safety, officials said.
- At least 11 staff members suffered burns while rescuing patients and five people were critically wounded.
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the fire was likely caused by a short circuit and ordered a judicial inquiry.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced compensation of $2,160 for affected families.
- Officials noted that building fires and electrical short circuits are a common safety problem in India, citing several deadly hospital fires in recent years.
Articles
- Fire at India hospital intensive care unit kills 10 people www.aljazeera.com
- Ten killed in fire at India hospital intensive care unit www.bbc.com