- Prime Minister condoles the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan
NE NATIONAL BUREAU
JAIPUR, OCT 6
In a devastating late-night tragedy, a massive fire broke out inside the trauma centre ICU of the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Sunday night, leaving at least eight patients dead and several others injured. Preliminary investigations suggest the blaze may have been triggered by a short circuit in the electrical system near the ICU’s storage area.
The horrifying incident, which occurred around 11:20 p.m. on October 5, filled the hospital’s neuro-ICU with thick smoke, trapping critically ill patients and creating chaos among staff and attendants.
Rescue Operation Amid Panic
Eyewitnesses said panic spread as alarms rang and relatives tried to help hospital staff evacuate patients. Jaipur Fire Brigade and police teams rushed to the scene, battling dense smoke and flames inside the ward.
Several policemen reportedly sustained minor injuries while rescuing patients. Fire officers confirmed that the ICU’s confined design and smoke accumulation made entry difficult. The fire was brought under control within an hour, but the smoke inhalation proved fatal for many.
Government Orders High-Level Inquiry
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached the hospital early Monday morning, meeting victims’ families and the medical team. He announced a high-level probe committee to determine the cause of the blaze and fix accountability.
“This is an extremely painful incident. The government will ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Fire safety norms in all government hospitals will be re-audited immediately,”
— Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma
The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and local police have begun an on-site investigation, collecting samples from the ICU to identify the ignition source. Preliminary reports indicate the fire started near the ICU’s electrical junction box and spread quickly due to the presence of oxygen pipelines.
🇮🇳 PM Modi Condoles Loss of Lives
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the PM wrote:
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a fire incident at a hospital in Jaipur. My condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the injured.”
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is in touch with the Rajasthan government, officials said.
Disaster Management Teams on Alert
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and the Health Department have been placed on high alert to check emergency preparedness in all public hospitals.
A circular issued Monday morning mandates immediate fire-safety audits and emergency evacuation drills across government-run medical facilities within 48 hours.
The Jaipur district administration has also asked for a standard operating procedure (SOP) to prevent such incidents, especially in oxygen-enriched zones and intensive care units.
Relatives Allege Negligence
Relatives of victims staged protests outside the hospital, alleging gross negligence and lack of safety equipment. They claimed fire alarms failed to function initially and that staff delayed evacuation.
Hospital authorities have denied the allegations, stating that staff acted swiftly once the blaze was detected. The hospital superintendent said all safety records and maintenance logs would be handed over to the investigation committee.
Official Probe and Accountability
A five-member inquiry panel headed by a senior IAS officer has been formed to review:
- The electrical wiring and fire safety compliance in the ICU
- Availability of functional fire extinguishers and alarms
- Evacuation readiness and staff response
- Oxygen-line safety standards
The panel is expected to submit its preliminary findings within 72 hours, followed by a comprehensive safety audit of all tertiary hospitals in the state.
Tributes and Relief
The state government is finalizing ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased. Local MLAs, ministers, and opposition leaders, including former CM Ashok Gehlot, visited the hospital and demanded accountability.
“This tragedy exposes how fragile fire safety enforcement remains, even in premier hospitals,” said a senior opposition leader, calling for third-party safety audits and NDMA supervision.
