A tragic fire at Prasad Hospital in Muzaffarpur has led to the involvement of both the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Bihar State Human Rights Commission. The incident, which occurred in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), resulted in the death of five patients and injuries to over 15 others. Panic ensued as flames and smoke engulfed the ward, with some patients unable to be immediately rescued.
The fire, which broke out around 3 a.m., prompted the evacuation of patients to nearby hospitals after emergency personnel brought the blaze under control. Concerns have been raised regarding emergency preparedness and fire safety protocols at private healthcare facilities following the incident. Petitions have been filed seeking an independent investigation supervised by a retired judge and comprehensive safety audits of private hospitals in Bihar.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced compensation for the families of the deceased. Authorities have initiated inquiries into the incident, with a committee and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team conducting investigations. The hospital area where the fire originated has been sealed, and officials are scrutinizing the hospital management for any negligence in safety measures.
Efforts are underway to conduct fire safety audits in all government and private hospitals in Muzaffarpur to prevent similar incidents in the future. The findings of the investigations are crucial in determining the cause of the fire and ensuring accountability for any safety violations.
