8 patients died after a massive fire broke out in the trauma intensive care unit (ICU) of Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Hospital late on Sunday, 5 October. Hospital officials confirmed that more patients are in critical condition. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital on Monday morning and ordered an investigation into the incident. A six-member committee has been formed to look into the matter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences regarding the fire incident in Jaipur on X. The post from the PMO on X said, “The loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”
What did the Sawai Man Singh Hospital say?
Hospital management released a statement and confirm that the fire in Neuro Surgery ICU Number 1 was caused by a short circuit. At the time of the incident, 11 patients were in the ICU; all were evacuated, but six died. The hospital’s trauma center has four ICUs with a total of 46 beds, all of which were occupied. Overall, the trauma center has 284 beds—250 general and 46 ICU—and all were full during the incident.
Investigation into the incident
Firefighters and Sawai Man Singh Hospital staff worked together to control the flames and evacuate patients from nearby areas. Authorities confirmed that all 24 patients were rescued from the two ICUs, although several had already been exposed to toxic gases before being moved.
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