4 Dead After Smoke Fills Kozhikode Medical College, Minister Orders Probe

Although initial reports linked four fatalities to the fire at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, officials said that the deaths were not caused by the fire or smoke exposure.

In the aftermath, Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George directed officials to launch an inquiry into the incident

Source : ABPLIVE AI

Four patients died and 200 others were evacuated at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital on Friday triggering widespread panic after smoke filled the hospital’s emergency department. The is believed to have originated from a suspected electrical short circuit in the hospital’s UPS room around 8 PM.

Firefighters responded swiftly, managing to contain the situation before the fire could spread. Hospital staff and emergency responders worked together to safely move patients and essential medical equipment out of the affected area.

Although initial reports linked four fatalities to the incident, hospital officials clarified that the deaths were not caused by the fire or smoke exposure, as per a report on Manorama. They stated that the deceased had all been critically ill prior to the event. However, MLA T Siddique challenged this, claiming that at least three of the deaths may have resulted from smoke inhalation and the ensuing chaos, reported Mathrubhumi. Among the deceased was Nazira, a 44-year-old woman from Meppadi in Wayanad district.

In the aftermath, Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George directed officials to launch an inquiry into the incident to establish what went wrong and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

(More details awaited)