Bhadrak – In a tragic incident at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Bhadrak, a 54-year-old woman died after being trapped in a malfunctioning elevator on Tuesday, triggering panic and protests among locals.
The deceased, Minati Parida, a resident of Narasinghapur village under the Bhadrak Rural police station jurisdiction, had been admitted to the hospital after experiencing respiratory issues linked to a lung infection.
According to hospital sources, she had been brought in via a 108 ambulance and was undergoing preliminary treatment. The accident occurred while she was being shifted to the medicine ward on a stretcher.
“The lift suddenly began moving upward as she was being wheeled in, causing her to become trapped inside,” said Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Sudhansu Sekhar Bal. He added that the woman is suspected to have died of suffocation, although the exact cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy.
The incident sparked panic and outrage. Scores of villagers rushed to the hospital and staged a protest, demanding accountability and compensation for the grieving family. Police personnel were deployed to restore order and assure residents of a thorough investigation.
Hospital authorities have promised an ex gratia of ₹8 lakh to Minati’s family. An inquiry is underway to determine the exact reason behind the elevator malfunction, CDMO Bal confirmed.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over safety standards and maintenance lapses in public healthcare facilities across the state.
