Daijiworld Media Network - Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar, Mar 16: Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday constituted a six-member fact-finding committee to investigate the fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack that claimed the lives of 10 patients.

According to a statement from the chief minister’s Office, Deoranjan Kumar Singh will head the committee as its chairman.

Other members of the panel include Umashankar Dash, Chief Electrical Inspector and EIC Barada Prasanna Dash, EIC of the Urban Public Health Department Birinchi Narayan Pradhan, Chief Engineer (Buildings) Priyabrata Samantaray, and Director of Medical Education and Training Santosh Kumar Mishra.

The chief minister has directed the committee to visit the hospital and submit its findings to the Chief Secretary by the evening.

Earlier, Majhi had also ordered a judicial inquiry into the tragedy and assured strict action if any negligence is found during the investigation.

Preliminary reports indicate that the fire broke out in the Intensive Care Unit of the Trauma Care Centre at around 2.30–3 a.m., reportedly due to an electrical short circuit. The blaze resulted in 10 deaths and several injuries.

Following the incident, Majhi visited the hospital to assess the situation and instructed authorities to provide all necessary support to the victims and their families. He also met the injured patients undergoing treatment and announced Rs 25 lac ex gratia for the families of each deceased patient.

Meanwhile, Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced Rs 2 lac ex gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the families of those who lost their lives.