Sambalpur, April 11: Three women died after undergoing caesarean section (CS) in the gynaecology department of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Burla last night.

The deceased are Sulochana Pradhan, 26, of Belpahar in Jharsuguda district, Kalpana Mahakur, 27, of Banjbahali in Bargarh district and Kasturi Seth, 25, of Sialkhandata in Bargarh district.

All the three underwent the operation between 4.30pm and 5pm yesterday and died between 10.30pm and 11pm the same day.

Gynaecology department head Lal Mohan Naik said: "Nine surgeries took place in the gynaecology department on Friday. Three of them died. The other six patients are normal."

He said Sulaochana and Kalpana had the sickle cell disease, which could be the reason behind the death in these two cases. "However, we are yet to find out the reasons behind Kasturi's death."

"All the three patients came out of operation theatre in a good condition. But, they died within four or five hours after the operation," he said.

"The babies delivered by the three are fine. The baby girl born to Sulochna Pradhan has been admitted to the Special Newborn Care Unit of the hospital," he said.

Family members of the deceased are shocked over the incident. "Everything was normal when we shifted Kalpana to the hospital. But, she suddenly died after the operation. I am yet to understand what went wrong," said Kalpana's husband Rukmana Mahakur.

Another relative of Kalpana alleged that no senior doctors were present during the operation.

Hospital superintendent L.K. Dash said: "The director of medical education and training will come here with a medical team tomorrow. We have also formed a team of doctors. Both the teams will jointly inquire into the death of the three women."

Hospital director Sunamali Bag said it was an unfortunate incident and the matter would be inquired into.