New Delhi, 16 March (H.S.): President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief over the devastating fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, claiming 10 lives, while announcing ex gratia payments to victims' kin.

In an X post, President Murmu conveyed deep anguish at the heartbreaking inferno, extending heartfelt condolences to bereaved families and prayers for the injured's swift recovery.

Vice President Radhakrishnan echoed this sorrow, lamenting the precious lives lost and offering solidarity alongside recovery wishes.

Prime Minister Modi termed the incident extremely heartrending, assuring aid from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund: ₹2 lakh per deceased dependent and ₹50,000 per injured.

The blaze erupted around 2:30-3:00 AM in the Trauma Care ICU, likely from a short circuit, trapping critically ill patients; 23 were shifted, with 11 staff sustaining burns during rescue. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi pledged ₹25 lakh per family and a judicial probe.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar