A six-member central team visited the SCB Medical College and Hospital on Wednesday to investigate the fire incident in the trauma care ICU that resulted in approximately 12 fatalities on March 16.

The team included commandant Aditya Kumar from the National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare director Dr. Arvind Kumar, CMO (DM Cell) Dr. Yogesh, National Disaster Response Force commandant Nagendra Sangram, fire advisor from the Ministry of Home Affairs Prashanta Lonkar, and general manager (T&C) of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority Sunil Kumar Sahu.

According to official sources, the team engaged in discussions with hospital authorities to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the fire and review existing safety protocols. They also gathered reports from the fire services and the general electricity department regarding the incident. Subsequently, the central team inspected the trauma care ICU and reviewed the sequence of events from the fire outbreak to the rescue operation.

The central team’s visit is part of a thorough inquiry aimed at identifying any lapses and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future at the hospital. Sources indicated that the team will compile a detailed report to submit to the central government for further action.