A deadly fire broke out at a government-run hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha early on Monday, officials have confirmed. At least 10 critically ill patients lost their lives.

"A short circuit caused the fire in the trauma ICU ward where patients were being treated," said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Majhi added that 23 patients had been on the floor when the blaze began at the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack city.

There were media reports of further injuries, but no confirmation from authorities.

Modi announces compensation to victims' families

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident "deeply painful" and said that compensation of about $2,000 would be made available to the victims' families.

Electrical short circuits, usually caused by badly maintained wiring, are the leading cause of building fires in India. Due to a widespread lack of adequate firefighting equipment, such incidents often turn deadly. 

In 2024, a fire at a private hospital in the southern state of Tamil Nadu killed six people and injured dozens. That same year, 10 newborn babies died in a similar accident in Uttar Pradesh.

Edited by: Alex Berry