Cuttack, Mar 16: Ten patients lost their lives in a tragic fire that broke out early Monday at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The deceased have been identified as Ramesh Parida, Dasharu Munda, M.D. Nyum, Gauranga Barik, S.K. Abdul Sattar, Madhusudan Dalai, Krushnachandra Biswal, Rabindra Das, Cheru Parida, and Menaka Rout.

Preliminary reports suggest that the fire originated on the first floor of the ICU, where 23 critically ill patients were admitted. Initial investigations indicate that a short circuit may have caused the blaze. The presence of severely ill patients intensified the situation, leading to multiple fatalities.

Fire services personnel quickly arrived at the scene and managed to control the fire, while hospital staff and emergency responders evacuated the remaining patients to other wards for treatment.

Authorities have launched a detailed inquiry into the incident to ascertain the exact cause.