Tragic Fire Claims Lives at Cuttack Hospital: Leaders Express Condolences

A devastating fire at the SCB Medical College in Cuttack, Odisha, has tragically claimed the lives of ten patients. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed their condolences, with Modi announcing an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased's family. The incident, believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, has drawn widespread grief from various leaders, including Odisha's Governor and the Leader of Opposition. As investigations begin, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring the best medical care for the injured.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 16, 2026, 12:48 IST

Devastating Incident at SCB Medical College

New Delhi/Cuttack: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed profound sorrow following the tragic incident that resulted in the deaths of ten patients due to a significant fire at the Intensive Care Unit of the Trauma Care Centre at SCB Medical College in Cuttack, Odisha. PM Modi has declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh to the families of each deceased patient, while numerous other leaders have also conveyed their condolences regarding this heartbreaking event.

In her message on X, President Murmu stated, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families. I wish a swift recovery to those who were injured.”

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also shared PM Modi's condolences on X, where he reiterated the ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased patients from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

PM Modi remarked, “The incident at the hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, is extremely distressing. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the quick recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh will be provided from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs. 50,000 will be allocated for the injured.”

In addition, Odisha's Governor, Hari Babu Kambhampati, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, among others, expressed their sorrow over the unfortunate loss of life.

Kambhampati stated, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The affected patients have been promptly relocated to safe areas, and their treatment continues without interruption. My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, and I wish them a speedy recovery.”

Leader of Opposition Patnaik also conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and urged the state government to ensure the best medical care for all injured individuals.

Patnaik expressed, “The tragic fire at SCB Medical in Cuttack has resulted in multiple fatalities, which is profoundly saddening. I pray for the eternal peace of the departed souls and extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I also wish for the swift recovery of those critically injured. The state government must guarantee the best medical facilities for all the injured. I have instructed the Mayor of Cuttack and the MLA of Tangi-Choudwar to visit the site and provide necessary assistance.”

Earlier, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited SCB Medical College and Hospital to assess the situation and met with the injured patients receiving treatment. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased and initiated a judicial inquiry into the tragic incident, promising strict action against any negligence that led to this unfortunate event, which resulted in the deaths of ten patients and left several others seriously injured.

Reports indicate that the fire erupted in the ICU of the Trauma Care Centre at SCB Medical College due to a suspected electrical short circuit between 2:30 AM and 3 AM on Monday. Seven critically injured patients died on the spot, while three others passed away after being transferred to different ICUs.