Daijiworld Media Network - Kozhikode

Kozhikode, May 3: A serious controversy has erupted following the deaths of five patients at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, after a short circuit caused smoke to billow from the UPS room near the Casualty department on Friday night.

The incident occurred around 8 p.m., when staff noticed smoke emerging from the UPS storage area. Authorities quickly began shifting patients from the affected ward as a precaution.

Hospital officials have maintained that no deaths were caused by smoke inhalation, claiming that four patients had already died prior to the incident, and a fifth was brought in dead.

However, Wayanad Congress legislator T. Siddique strongly contested the hospital's account, alleging that at least three of the five patients died from inhaling smoke. He cited the case of 44-year-old Nazeera, whose relatives claimed she was removed from a ventilator amid the smoke emergency and died shortly after being relocated.

In response, State Health Minister Veena George has ordered an official inquiry, directing the Director of Medical Education to lead a probe into the incident and determine whether the short circuit and smoke exposure played a role in the deaths.

The ward where the smoke originated has been sealed by Kozhikode district authorities pending further investigation.

Meanwhile, 34 patients who were receiving care at the Casualty department have been transferred to other nearby hospitals.

Officials added that post-mortem examinations may be conducted if requested by the relatives of the deceased.

The Kozhikode Medical College Hospital is a critical healthcare hub for residents across Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts, and remains one of Kerala’s busiest public hospitals.