19 died of asphyxiation in Odisha’s SUM Hospital fire: Autopsy

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Oct 22:

The post-mortem conducted on 19 persons killed in the fire mishap at Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital in Odisha capital on Monday has attributed the deaths to asphyxiation.

Twin City Police Commissioner YB Khurania today informed media persons that the post-mortem reports of 19 deceased persons received from Capital Hospital have confirmed the deaths due to asphyxiation. However, the bodies did not bear any burn injury marks, he added.

“We have received the post-mortem reports of the 19 deceased from Capital Hospital authorities today. The autopsy report confirmed their deaths due to asphyxiation. There were no burn injuries on the bodies of the deceased,” Commissioner YB Khurania told newsmen at a press conference here today.

Capital Hospital authorities had conducted post-mortem on 19 persons who were among the critical patients shifted from the SUM Hospital on Monday night after a massive fire broke out in the hospital due to short-circuit.

“Two of our doctors – Dr Laxmikanta Behera and Dr Pratap Chandra Satpathy— had conducted the post-mortem. We have asked police to collect report from us. The reason of death of 19 persons has been mentioned in the report,” Director of Capital Hospital Dr Biswa Bhusan Patnaik said.

Khurania said that post-mortem reports would be an important piece of evidence which would help in police investigation.

We are trying to understand the organizational structure. We are giving greater importance to the persons and process involved in the processing of files related to Fire safety. Relevant documents have been seized and are under examination, the top cop added.

“The LOC (lookout circular) is still in force. Saswati Das, wife of Manoj Ranjan Nayak, hasn’t appeared before the police yet. Investigation is evolving and appropriate action would be initiated in proper time,” he expressed.