Odisha records highest accidental fire deaths in 2023: NCRB report

Bhubaneswar: Odisha emerged as the state with the highest number of deaths due to accidental fires in 2023, according to the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) ‘Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India’ report released recently. The state reported 1,032 fatalities, marking the second consecutive year it topped this grim list. In 2022, Odisha recorded the highest 1,219 deaths from accidental fires in the country.The report highlights that Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu followed Odisha, with 697 and 616 deaths, respectively, due to accidental fires in 2023. A significant number of these incidents in Odisha was attributed to electric short circuits, which accounted for 486 deaths, the highest in the country. Bihar was the second highest, with 208 deaths from fire accidents caused by electrical faults.In addition to fire-related incidents, Odisha also reported the highest number of accidental deaths due to natural calamities in 2023. The state recorded 1,351 fatalities from natural disasters, surpassing Uttar Pradesh, which reported 852 deaths.Despite the high overall numbers, Odisha’s fatalities from specific natural events like floods, torrential rains, sunstroke, lightning, and forest fires were lower compared to other states. The significant contributor to the state’s high fatality rate was a category labeled as ‘causes other than the above,’ which accounted for 984 deaths.According to experts, the data underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures and infrastructure in Odisha to prevent such tragedies. “The high incidence of deaths from electric short circuits suggests a critical need for better electrical safety standards and public awareness campaigns to educate residents about fire prevention and safety protocols,” said Akhaya Behera, a fire safety campaigner.Odisha fire service authorities said they have been raising awareness across the state. “We are implementing effective strategies to reduce the number of accidental deaths. This includes enhancing emergency response systems, improving infrastructure resilience against natural disasters, and enforcing stricter building and electrical codes,” DIG (fire and emergency services) Uma Shankar Dash said.