Bhubaneswar
Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar saw the deaths of 22 persons and injuries to over 20 others in a fire that broke out yesterday. While 14 have died in Capital Hospital, eight died in AMRI Hospitals,” said Akhila Bihari Ota, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central). The rescued patients were shifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bhubaneswar and other hospitals, said the Health Minister. Three employees were suspended by the SUM Hospital management and formed an internal inquiry committee to probe the causes of the accident. It is suspected that an electric short circuit in the dialysis ward on the first floor of the private hospital was the main cause of the fire which spread to the nearby Intensive Care Unit.
Many patients were rescued by breaking window panes, as per an eyewitness account. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who visited Capital hospital to oversee treatment of evacuated patients, ordered a Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC)-level probe into the whole incident. The Chief Minister also spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and briefed about efforts towards treatment of injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep anguish over the deaths over Twitter by saying : “Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the hospital fire in Odisha. The tragedy is mind-numbing. My thoughts are with bereaved families.” The fire broke out in the intensive care unit (ICU) of dialysis ward of the hospital, said sources. About seven fire tenders were pressed into service to douse the fire. Fire Service Director General Binay Behera said fire personnel were engaged to control the fire and carry out rescue operation. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda tweeted: “Deeply saddened by the fire incident in Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar. My condolences rest with the bereaved families.” Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed that he spoke to Odisha Health Minister and offered all possible help to deal with this tragic incident.
