A minor fire broke out at the surgical trauma care unit of the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, around 9:45 a.m. No casualties have been reported so far. Doctors and paramedical staff evacuated up to 39 patients from the ward to a nearby one.The situation caused panic among bystanders and raised questions about the 75-year-old institution’s infrastructure, maintenance and monitoring, and fire and electrical safety.Published - March 17, 2026 10:50 am IST