At least 19 people have died and over 100 injured when a massive fire broke out at Bhubaneswar’s Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital on Monday evening. The fire is suspected to have started from the dialysis ward of the hospital, located on the first floor, possibly due to an electrical short circuit, around 7.30 in the evening. From there it spread to the Intensive Care Unit and the medicine wards.
The state government has ordered a high-level probe into the incident.
Check Out this video report of the incident. (Courtesy: NDTV)
https://youtu.be/sPWZQwV5zug
Hospital officials said at the time of incident more than 500 indoor patients were in the building. All patients were evacuated and injured were moved to other hospitals.
PM Modi also expressed his anguish over the incident and tweeted saying that:
Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the hospital fire in Odisha. The tragedy is mind-numbing. My thoughts are with bereaved families.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 17, 2016
Spoke to Minister @JPNadda & asked him to facilitate transfer of all those injured to AIIMS. Hope the injured recover quickly.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 17, 2016
Also spoken to Minister @dpradhanbjp and asked him to ensure all possible help to the injured and affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 17, 2016
Spoke to CM @Naveen_Odisha about the distressing hospital fire tragedy. Assured all possible support from the Centre.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 17, 2016
Union Health Minister JP Nadda also tweeted over the proceedings in the incident.
Union Health Secretary has spoken to the Principal Secy Health, Orissa. Officials of @MoHFW_INDIA are in constant touch with state officials
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) October 17, 2016
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who visited the injured in other hospitals, declared free treatment for all injured.
At least seven fire tenders were put into service to control the blaze and over a dozen ambulances deployed to shift the critical patients to other hospitals. Many patients were rescued by breaking window panes, an eyewitness said.
The Odisha government has set up a helpline number: 9439991226.