Tragedy at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital: 6 Patients Killed in ICU Fire, Probe Demanded.
Jaipur:
A devastating fire broke out late Sunday night at the trauma centre of Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, claiming the lives of six critically ill patients and leaving the city in mourning. The incident, which occurred in the Neuro ICU of the state-run hospital, has raised serious concerns over hospital safety and alleged negligence by staff.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
The fire reportedly started in a storage area adjacent to the Neuro ICU, where 11 patients were undergoing treatment. According to Dr. Anurag Dhakad, the in-charge of the trauma centre, the fire was likely caused by a short circuit. Within minutes, thick smoke engulfed the ICU floor, creating panic among patients, their attendants, and hospital staff.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos and confusion. Several medical devices, critical ICU equipment, and documents were destroyed, further hampering rescue efforts.
Lives Lost
The six patients who tragically lost their lives were identified as:
- Pintu (Sikar)
- Dilip (Jaipur)
- Bahadur (Jaipur)
- Shrinath, Rukmini, and Khurma (all from Bharatpur)
Family members of the deceased have made serious allegations, claiming that early warnings about smoke were ignored by the hospital staff, who were reportedly the first to flee the building when the fire erupted. Relatives also accused the hospital administration of delayed communication and withholding updates about patients’ conditions during the chaos.
Political Reactions and Official Visits
In response to the tragedy, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital site along with senior cabinet ministers to assess the situation. He expressed grief over the incident and assured that strict action would be taken following the results of an inquiry.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also reacted strongly, calling the incident “heartbreaking” and demanding a high-level probe into the cause and handling of the fire. He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
PM Modi Expresses Grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his sorrow over the incident. In a post written in Hindi, he 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.”
Call for Accountability and Reform
As investigations begin into the fire, public pressure is mounting for accountability from the hospital administration and the state’s health department. Health activists and patient rights groups have also called for urgent audits of fire safety protocols in government hospitals across the country.
The tragedy at SMS Hospital serves as a grim reminder of the fragile state of emergency infrastructure in public health institutions and the devastating consequences of oversight failures.
