Tragic Fire at Cuttack Hospital: PM Modi Announces Compensation for Victims' Families
Prime Minister's Response to Hospital Fire Incident
In a heartfelt message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, which resulted in multiple fatalities. He announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of those who lost their lives.
The fire broke out early Monday morning in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the trauma care center at SCB Medical College and Hospital. Reports indicate that at least ten patients died, with many others suffering severe burn injuries.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) shared on social media, stating, "The incident at the hospital in Cuttack is profoundly distressing. My condolences go out to those mourning their loved ones, and I pray for the swift recovery of the injured."
ଓଡ଼ିଶାର କଟକରେ ଏକ ହସ୍ପିଟାଲରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣା ଗଭୀର ଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣାଦାୟକ। ଯେଉଁମାନେ ନିଜ ପ୍ରିୟଜନଙ୍କୁ ହରାଇଛନ୍ତି ସେମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ସମବେଦନା। ଆହତମାନଙ୍କ ଆଶୁ ଆରୋଗ୍ୟ ପାଇଁ ମୁଁ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥନା କରୁଛି।
ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ମୃତକଙ୍କ ନିକଟ ସମ୍ପର୍କୀୟଙ୍କୁ ପିଏମଏନଆରଏଫରୁ ୨ ଲକ୍ଷ ଟଙ୍କାର ଅନୁକମ୍ପାମୂଳକ ସହାୟତା ପ୍ରଦାନ କରାଯିବ । ଆହତମାନଙ୍କୁ…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 16, 2026
The PMO also confirmed that the next of kin of each deceased would receive ₹2 lakh, while those injured would be compensated with ₹50,000.
The fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, erupted between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m.
Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the injured at the hospital and announced a compensation of ₹25 lakh for the families of the deceased. He ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and promised strict action against anyone found negligent.
CM Majhi stated, "A significant fire broke out in the trauma care unit due to a suspected short circuit, affecting patients in the Trauma Care ICU and adjacent wards. During the evacuation, seven critically ill patients died, and three more passed away after being moved to other ICUs. This is a tragic situation."
He extended his condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the recovery of the injured. Majhi instructed the Health Department to ensure that those with severe injuries receive advanced treatment.
The Chief Minister highlighted the bravery of 11 hospital staff members, including security personnel, who risked their lives to rescue patients, sustaining injuries themselves but are now stable.
Majhi mentioned that his government had previously mandated inspections of fire safety measures in hospitals and allocated ₹320 crore in the current budget for enhancing fire safety protocols, with an additional ₹400 crore planned for the next financial year.
He directed officials to ensure the installation of advanced fire extinguishing systems in hospitals statewide.