SUM hospital fire mishap: Toll mounts to 24

Bhubaneswar: The toll due to the fire mishap at the SUM hospital reached 24 after three more victims died while undergoing treatment at the Capital hospital here and SCB medical college and hospital in Cuttack on Friday.

The deceased have been identified as Sheikh Qurban of Khurda, Biswanath Behera of Dumduma area in Bhubaneswar and Rashmita Swain of Balipada area in Puri.

While Qurban died at SCB hospital, Behera and Swain died at Capital hospital while undergoing treatment there.

According to sources, Behera was undergoing treatment at SUM hospital since last three months and he was shifted to AIIMS after the fire mishap.

However on October 19, the private hospital authority called him back for treatment and discharged him despite his condition went critical. Later, family member took Behera to Capital hospital in a critical condition where doctor declared him dead on arrival, sources added.

On the other hand, Swain, who was admitted to the SUM hospital on October 17 morning, shifted to Capital hospital after the fire mishap. She was discharged from the Capital hospital after primary treatment.

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However, relatives of Swain admitted her again to the Capital hospital yesterday following deterioration in her health condition. The woman died while undergoing treatment at the government-run hospital late last night.

Earlier 21 patients were killed and many sustained injuries after a major fire broke out at SUM hospital on October 17 evening.