The death toll in the SCB Medical College Trauma Casualty fire has climbed to 13 after another patient, Suman Kumar Sahu of Banarpal in Angul, died during treatment. Two more patients remain in critical condition.
Earlier victims included Ramesh Chandra Parida, Dasharu Munda, MD Nayum, Gouranga Charan Parida, Madhusudan Dalai, Rabindra Das, Cheru Parida, Menaka Rout, SK Abdul Sattar, Krushnachandra Biswal, Pabitra Dishari of Koraput, and Kalyani Mallik of Bhadrak.
The blaze broke out around 3 a.m. on Monday in the Trauma ICU, reportedly due to an electrical short circuit. Ten patients died immediately, while two more succumbed later. Rescue teams evacuated 15 patients, but three were burnt alive inside the ICU, and seven others died from suffocation.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited SCB on Monday morning, expressed grief, and announced Rs 25 lakh compensation for each victim’s family. He also ordered a judicial inquiry and constituted a fact-finding team to determine the cause of the tragedy.
The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the incident and directed the Chief Secretary to submit a detailed report within 15 days. The complaint was filed by Human Rights Front India president Manoj Jena.
Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik also visited SCB on Monday evening, met injured patients, and discussed treatment arrangements with doctors.
