At least 10 people were killed in the eastern Indian state of Odisha after a major fire broke out in the trauma centre of a government hospital on Monday.
All the people who succumbed to burn injuries were patients admitted at the hospital. Another 23 people, all hospital staff, were also injured while trying to rescue patients, state chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi said. They are being treated for burns.
Five people were critically wounded, but it is not immediately clear if it was from the fire.
The fire broke out at the government-run Srirama Chandra Bhanja Medical College and Hospital in Odisha’s Cuttack city between 2.30am and 3am, the chief minister said, confirming that critically ill patients were being treated in the hospital wing.
An electrical short circuit is suspected to have caused the fire but it has not been officially confirmed.
"A total of 23 patients have been shifted to other departments. Seven serious patients died while shifting to other ICUs and wards, while another three patients died later. I have directed the concerned officers for proper treatment of the injured patients," Mr Majhi said, speaking to the reporters on Monday.
The state leader said the medical staff and security personnel “risked their lives” to rescue the patients.
"During this, they too sustained injuries, and they too are under treatment," he said.
He visited the hospital along with health minister, Mukesh Mahaling, on Monday to review the situation. They also met with the injured patients recovering at the facility.
Officials said multiple fire engines were rushed to the spot and were engaged in the rescue operations.
Mr Majhi has announced a compensation of Rs25,00,000 (£20,434) for the families of the deceased.
A judicial probe has also been launched into the incident, Mr Majhi said, adding that strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
