Nurse found dead at state-run NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata

A 30-year-old nurse was found dead at the state-run NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, police said on Thursday.

The nurse was on night duty at the hospital's high-dependency unit (HDU) on Wednesday, they said.

According to the preliminary investigation, she reported for duty around 8 pm and went to the staff washroom at the antenatal ward in the Gynaecology Department Building around 10.30 pm, police said.

"When she did not return for some time, her colleagues went to check on her and found the washroom door locked. After repeated knocks drew no response, two of them broke open the door and found her lying unconscious on the floor," a police officer said.

A doctor was called to examine the nurse, and she was subsequently declared dead, he said.

Personnel from Entally police station, along with officers of the Detective Department's Homicide team, reached the hospital after being informed about the incident, the officer said.

The preliminary investigation found no visible injury marks on the body, and no suicide note was recovered, he said.

"We suspect that the nurse may have died following an overdose of an anaesthetic drug administered through an injection. However, our detectives are investigating all possible angles," he said.

The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, he added.

State Health Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee visited the hospital on Thursday morning and spoke to those on duty on Wednesday night.