10 Newborns Dead, 16 Children Injured
A devastating fire broke out late last night at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, claiming the lives of at least 10 newborns. The blaze, which erupted around 10:45 pm in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), has left 16 children fighting for their lives.
According to District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar, 54 children were admitted to the NICU when the fire broke out. Emergency efforts led to the rescue of 44 infants, but unfortunately, 10 newborns did not survive. Seven of the deceased have been identified, and DNA tests will be conducted for the remaining three victims to confirm their identities.
Chaos and Protests
The tragedy was followed by chaos at the hospital this morning as grieving relatives were prevented from meeting their injured children. The parents, frustrated and angry, gathered outside the hospital, demanding access to their children and staging protests after being stopped from blocking the roads. Sources suggest that the hospital restricted access to avoid confusion over the infants’ identities.
Possible Cause: Short-Circuit
Preliminary investigations indicate that a short-circuit in an oxygen concentrator may have triggered the fire, according to Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. Visuals from the scene showed frantic relatives and charred medical equipment, while one distraught mother told ANI that she could not locate her baby after the fire and was later informed of the child’s death.
Efforts to Save the Injured
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sudha Singh confirmed that 16 children, who sustained injuries in the blaze, are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals. She assured that doctors and medical staff are working around the clock to provide the necessary care.
Safety Measures and Investigation
The Uttar Pradesh government has denied allegations that the hospital’s fire alarms or safety systems were malfunctioning. Pathak, who also oversees the state’s health portfolio, clarified that a fire safety audit was conducted in February, followed by a mock fire drill in June. He emphasized that a full investigation will take place once the probe reports are available, with inquiries being led by the health department, police, and a magisterial panel.
Government Response and Assistance
In the wake of the tragedy, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered immediate rescue operations and the deployment of additional firefighting resources. He also announced financial assistance for the victims’ families: ₹5 lakh for those who lost their children, and ₹50,000 for those with serious injuries.
The Chief Minister has directed the Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jhansi to submit a report on the incident within 12 hours.
National Condolences
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed their grief over the tragic loss. In a statement, President Murmu said, “The news of the death of several newborn babies in the accident at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi is heartbreaking. I pray that the families find the strength to bear this loss and for the speedy recovery of the injured babies.”
PM Modi, calling the incident “heartbreaking,” announced financial support from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, offering ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
