Victim's Family Testifies During Dr. Soetomo Hospital Fire

A somber incident unfolded at the Dr. Soetomo General Hospital in Surabaya, where a fire broke out on the 5th floor of the Cardiovascular Center, tragically resulting in the death of one patient. CNN Indonesia reports on the harrowing experience of the victim's family and the hospital's official statement.

The patient, Sutaji, aged 46, was in the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) on the 6th floor and was among the final individuals to be evacuated. His wife, Yuli, recounted the terrifying moments of separation and confusion during the evacuation, expressing her desperate hope for her husband's safety amidst the chaos.

“

I looked everywhere, and it turned out two people were still upstairs. The first one had already come down, the father [Sutaji] was the last one.

Despite being successfully evacuated, Sutaji's condition, already critical due to his underlying illness, worsened. He was moved to the IGD resuscitation room, where he was pronounced dead shortly after. The circumstances highlight the extreme vulnerability of patients in critical care during emergencies.

“

When descending, the father's heart was already weak, he immediately passed away.

In response to the incident, the hospital's management, led by Prof. Dr. Cita Rosita Sigit Prakoeswa, emphasized that Sutaji's death was a consequence of his severe pre-existing condition. The Director stated that the patient was on life support, with multiple organ systems failing, prior to and during the fire. This clarification aims to distinguish the cause of death from any potential impact of the fire itself or smoke inhalation.

This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in managing emergencies, especially when dealing with critically ill patients. While the fire itself was contained, the human tragedy underscores the fragility of life and the critical importance of robust emergency protocols in hospitals.

“

Died due to illness. Because, as explained by colleagues, the condition was already supported by three organs, namely...