Death toll at 23 in hospital fire in eastern India
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Oct 18, 2016
At least 22 patients died of asphyxiation and several others turned critical after a major fire broke out in ICU and dialysis ward of SUM Hospital-cum-medical college, an upscale hospital on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on Monday evening. By 11 pm, the flames were brought completely under control and all the patients had been shifted to other hospitals, the sources said.
While efforts are on to shift patients to safety, seven fire engines, and hospital's dedicated fire-fighting system has been pressed into service to douse the fire, reports added.
This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. She said the committee will inquire into the cause of the fire and whether there was any lapse on the part of the hospital authorities. "My condolences rest with the bereaved families".
An official says at least eight people have died after a fire broke out at a hospital in the eastern Indian city of Bhubneswar.
The Capital Hospital Superintendent Dr Binod Kumar Mishra said, "We have received 14 dead bodies, while five other patients have been shifted from Sum Hospital". The team comprises the collector of Khurda, the director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) and the district fire officer.
"Rescuing the patients and those present in the hospital is our priority".
Chaos reigned in the hospital for nearly two hours as hospital authorities and fire service officials tried to evacuate the patients from the wards.
Hope the injured recover quickly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed deep grief over the loss of several lives in a Odisha hospital fire and spoke to Union Health Minister J P Nadda to ensure treatment of the injured in the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences here.
"We have kept doctors on alert in both government and private hospitals in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack".
Meanwhile, SUM Hospital suspended three employees and formed an internal inquiry committee to probe the lapses.
