Bhubaneswar/Cuttack (Odisha), March 17 The death toll from the devastating fire at the government-run SCB Medical College and Hospital here rose to 12 on Tuesday, after two more patients succumbed to their burn injuries.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the assembly that a total of 12 people died in the fire incident that occurred at the hospital's trauma care ICU early on Monday.
Describing it as a "very sad accident," the minister said, "As soon as the fire broke out, the hospital staff worked quickly to immediately move 23 patients from the first floor ICU and the adjacent wards of the trauma care center. All of them were moved to other ICUs and wards."
Seven patients from the trauma care center died due to their critical condition, while five other critically ill patients died while receiving treatment in other wards and ICUs.
Eleven medical staff members involved in the rescue of the patients were also injured in the fire. The injured staff members are receiving treatment, and their lives are no longer in danger, he said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Naveen Patnaik, visited the hospital on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also assessed the situation.
The state government has constituted a judicial panel to investigate the incident, and also formed a fact-finding team headed by Development Commissioner D K Singh that visited the hospital. The team will submit a report to the chief secretary.
The fire broke out around 2:48 am on the first floor, and is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit.
SCB Medical College and Hospital is the state's premier health facility, with nearly 2,700 beds, and it serves thousands of people daily.
