Tragedy in Odisha: 11 Dead in Cuttack Hospital ICU Fire; State Reeling After Deadly Storm

Odisha is reeling from two back-to-back disasters as a fatal fire tore through a major hospital in Cuttack, just hours after a violent “nor’wester” storm claimed lives and destroyed hundreds of homes in Mayurbhanj.

Fatal Fire at SCB Medical College ICU

A massive fire broke out early Monday morning at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, claiming the lives of at least 11 patients. The blaze originated around 3:00 AM in the first-floor trauma care Intensive Care Unit (ICU), which was housing 23 patients at the time.

Key Details of the Incident:

• Casualties: 11 patients confirmed dead. Seven died during the evacuation process, while four others succumbed to injuries shortly after. No children were among the victims.
• Cause: Initial reports suggest a short circuit sparked the fire.
• Response: Over 30 fire personnel and three fire tenders fought the flames. While the hospital’s dedicated fire unit responded, the evacuation was reportedly hampered by a shortage of medical staff present in the unit during the emergency.

Government Action

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the facility to assess the situation. He has:

1. Ordered a formal judicial probe into the cause of the fire.
2. Announced ₹25 lakh compensation for the families of each victim.

Violent Storm Ravages Mayurbhanj

The hospital tragedy follows a deadly weather event on Sunday. A powerful “tornado-like” system struck the Mayurbhanj district, leaving a trail of destruction across several villages.

Impact of the Storm:

• Fatalities & Injuries: Two people were killed on National Highway-220. Approximately 57 others were injured, with five in critical condition.
• Property Damage: More than 200 houses were damaged. In Kankada village, witnesses reported winds so strong that vehicles were lifted into the air and tossed into a nearby water body.
• Infrastructure: Uprooted trees and downed power lines have caused widespread disruptions.

Compensation: The state has announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹4 lakh for the families of those killed in the storm, funded by the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).