Goa, Oct. 6 -- Eight critically ill patients lost their lives late Sunday night after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, officials confirmed.

Dr. Anurag Dhakad, in-charge of the trauma centre, said that 11 patients were undergoing treatment in the Neuro ICU when the blaze erupted in the storage area. Preliminary reports suggest a short circuit may have triggered the fire.

The incident caused widespread panic, as smoke quickly spread throughout the floor, endangering patients and their families. Vital ICU equipment, documents, blood sample tubes, and other materials stored in the area were destroyed in the fire.

Authorities are investigating the incident and assessing the hospital's sa...