Preliminary reports from the PWD Electrical Inspectorate indicate the fire may have been caused by a short circuit or battery failure, engulfing the emergency ward—housing 151 patients—in toxic smoke
Published May 03, 2025 | 6:20 PM ⚊ Updated May 03, 2025 | 6:20 PM
Kozhikode medical college fire accident: Government orders slew of inquiries amid allegations of negligence
Synopsis: A day after a fire at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital claimed five lives, the Kerala government has launched multiple probes amid mounting allegations of negligence and safety lapses. Health Minister Veena George announced an expert panel to investigate the cause of death—suspected to be smoke inhalation from a fire in the UPS room near the MRI unit in the PMSSY block
A day after a fire accident at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH), the state government has announced multiple inquiries into the incident, even as allegations of negligence, safety lapses, administrative failure and corruption mount against the authorities.
Health Minister Veena George, after visiting the hospital and taking stock of the situation on Saturday, 3 May, announced the formation of an expert panel comprising doctors from various medical colleges in the state.
The panel will examine whether the five deaths were caused by smoke inhalation following the fire, which reportedly originated in the UPS room attached to the MRI unit at the PMSSY block of the hospital.
The incident occurred around 7.45 pm on Friday, 2 May, when a fire broke out in the battery backup unit of the MRI department.
Preliminary findings from the Public Works Department (PWD) Electrical Inspectorate suggest a short circuit or a battery failure might have triggered the blaze, which quickly filled the emergency ward with thick, toxic smoke.
At the time of the incident, 151 patients were admitted to the emergency department. While 114 continue treatment at the government hospital, 37 have been shifted to private facilities.
The health minister assured that no patient would be denied care and that ventilator cases were moved as per protocol. Then came the allegations that five patients lost their lives due to the fire accident.
Five deaths were reported in connection with the incident: Gopalan (65) from Westhill, Gangadharan (70) from Koyilandy, Ganga (34) from West Bengal, Nazira (44) from Wayanad, and Surendran (59) from Vadakara.
While initial accounts pointed to smoke inhalation as a possible cause of death, hospital authorities have denied this, asserting that three of the patients died due to pre-existing critical conditions. While the other two were attempt to suicide cases.
However, relatives of the deceased have raised serious allegations, claiming that delays in evacuation and chaotic handling of the emergency contributed to the fatalities.
In one particularly grave accusation, the family of Nazira alleged that she died after being removed from the ventilator amid the confusion, while the hospital maintained that another patient, Ganga, passed away before reaching the premises.
Within hours of the incident, Health Minister Veena George ordered a departmental inquiry and instructed the Director of Medical Education to submit a detailed report.
The hospital initiated an internal investigation, while the Electrical Inspectorate began a technical probe into the cause of the fire.
The police registered two cases — one for unnatural deaths and another relating to the fire accident, under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Additionally, the Fire and Rescue Services launched an investigation into the blaze.
CCTV visuals and hospital records have been handed over to the police as part of the ongoing inquiries. The Health Minister has now constituted a medical expert committee to medically verify whether smoke inhalation contributed to the deaths, with forensic and postmortem reports awaited.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the incident as one “that should not have happened under normal circumstances” and promised strict action after receiving inquiry reports.
Opposition parties, however, were quick to sharpen their attack on the government.
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan demanded a high-level probe into the tragedy, criticising the government for delays in patient evacuation and the absence of financial assistance to those shifted to private hospitals.
Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the fire was caused by low-quality batteries installed during the construction of the recently inaugurated PMSSY block. He called for an investigation into possible corruption in the procurement of batteries and materials, and into the quality of electrical wiring and safety infrastructure.
Chennithala further claimed that the hospital lacked basic fire safety systems and that piles of old furniture and garbage on staircases and ramps had obstructed evacuation efforts.
Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra spoke with the Kozhikode District Collector, demanding that the government bear the full medical expenses of the patients transferred to private hospitals and ensure they receive necessary assistance.
She echoed the Opposition’s demand for a high-level investigation and called the incident a shocking reminder of the poor safety standards in public healthcare facilities. At the same time, the hospital authorities have convened a medical board to officially ascertain the causes of death.
Meanwhile, the hospital’s engineering department is preparing a report on the short circuit, and final findings from the forensic and electrical inspectorates are awaited.
Health Minister Veena George has assured that stringent action will follow based on inquiry findings and that steps will be taken to strengthen safety protocols in hospitals across the state.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
