At least ten patients have died following a devastating fire in the trauma care centre of a government hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Eleven hospital staff were injured while attempting to evacuate patients and are currently receiving medical treatment, according to statements by the state’s Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi.
The incident occurred around 2:30 a.m. local time on Sunday at SCB Medical College and Hospital, one of the largest government-run healthcare facilities in the state. Firefighters arrived promptly and managed to bring the blaze under control. Officials confirmed that the affected patients were relocated to other hospital wards for continued care.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have originated from an electrical short circuit. Chief Minister Majhi, who visited the hospital following the incident, reported that the fire damaged the trauma care ICU, an adjacent ICU, and several surrounding wards. He praised the bravery of medical and security staff, who risked their own lives to rescue patients, some of whom sustained burns during the operation. Authorities have been instructed to ensure full medical support for the injured personnel.
In response to the tragedy, the state government has announced financial compensation for the families of those who perished. Chief Minister Majhi also directed a judicial inquiry into the incident and pledged stringent action against any responsible parties.
Hospital fires remain a recurrent problem in India, often caused by electrical faults. The risk is heightened by the presence of numerous electrical devices, oxygen supply systems, and critically ill patients, whose evacuation can be extremely difficult in emergencies.
A historical overview highlights the recurring nature of such incidents:
| Year | State/City | Hospital/Unit | Deaths | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Oct | Rajasthan | ICU, unnamed hospital | 6 | Critically ill patients |
| 2024 | Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh | Medical College, Neonatal ICU | 10 | Newborn fatalities |
| 2021 | Virar, Maharashtra | Vijay Ballabh Hospital ICU | 13 | COVID-19 patients |
| 2021 | Bandra, Maharashtra | Neonatal Care Unit | 10 | Infant deaths |
Experts emphasise that routine maintenance of electrical equipment, effective fire prevention measures, and comprehensive emergency evacuation plans are essential to prevent such tragedies. Hospitals, especially ICUs and neonatal care units, are particularly vulnerable due to the combination of oxygen systems, electrical devices, and immobile patients.
This latest fire in Odisha underscores the urgent need for modernised safety protocols in India’s public healthcare sector. Without systematic improvements, the risk of similar fatal incidents remains alarmingly high, threatening both patients and frontline healthcare workers.