(Image source from: ANI)
At least 16 young children are fighting for their lives, while 10 newborns tragically died after a fire broke out last night at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi. The blaze started around 10:45 pm in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, according to the District Magistrate. Officials were able to rescue 44 of the 54 infants admitted to the NICU at the time. Seven of the 10 victims have been identified, and DNA tests may be conducted to identify the remaining three. Chaos erupted at the hospital this morning as parents of the injured children were not allowed to visit them, leading to protests. Officials suggest the visitation restrictions were to avoid confusion over the infants' identities. The fire is believed to have been caused by a short-circuit in an oxygen concentrator. Distressing scenes showed panicked patients and caretakers outside the hospital, along with severely damaged medical equipment inside.
A woman whose child was lost during the incident told news sources that she couldn't find her baby and was later informed the baby had died. The police superintendent stated that 16 injured children are receiving treatment at local hospitals, and efforts are being made to save them. All doctors and adequate medical facilities are available for the children. The state government denied claims that the hospital's fire alarms and safety systems were not functioning. The health minister said the hospital's fire safety audit was conducted in February, followed by a fire drill in June. He stated that further investigation will be carried out by the health department, the police, and a magistrate to determine what happened and why.
The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh has directed senior officials and doctors to urgently conduct rescue operations and ensure the deployment of adequate firefighting vehicles. He has announced a financial assistance of ₹ 5 lakh for the families of the victims, and ₹ 50,000 for those who suffered serious injuries. The Chief Minister has also instructed the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jhansi to submit a report within 12 hours. Both the President and the Prime Minister have expressed their grief over the tragic fire incident, which has resulted in the loss of several newborn babies. The Prime Minister has announced a relief fund of ₹ 2 lakh for the victims' families and ₹ 50,000 for the injured. The President has conveyed her deepest condolences to the bereaved parents and families, and has prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured babies. The Prime Minister stated that the government is doing everything possible to provide assistance and rescue efforts. The opposition party in Uttar Pradesh has accused the hospital management of negligence, and the leader of the Samajwadi Party has called for action against those responsible.
