Fire at India hospital intensive care unit kills 10 people

A fire at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, India, killed 10 people on Monday, March 16, 2026. The fire, which started in the trauma care unit, is believed to have been caused by a short circuit. Twenty-three patients were in the intensive care unit at the time, and 10 died while being moved to safety. Eleven staff members were injured while rescuing patients. The Chief Minister of Odisha has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered condolences and compensation to the victims' families. Building fires are common in India due to poor safety regulations and electrical issues.

A fire in the intensive care unit of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, India, killed ten patients early Monday morning. The fire, suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit, broke out around 2:30 AM local time. Eleven hospital staff members were injured while attempting to rescue patients. Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and announced financial compensation for the victims' families. Hospital fires, often attributed to electrical faults, are a recurring problem in India, with several similar incidents resulting in fatalities in recent years. Patients have been moved to other departments within the hospital.