10 newborns die in blaze at government hospital in Jhansi, probe panel formed
Ten newborns died after a fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of state-run Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi on Friday night.
According to officials, several fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot, and dozens of children were rescued, but several newborns did not make it.
The fire also led to a stampede-like situation at the hospital, officials said.
Visuals from outside the hospital showed anguished parents breaking down. “Mera bacha mara hai (my child is dead),” said a man, hyperventilating, as two women wailed behind him.
Visuals also showed charred equipment in the ward where the newborns were ostensibly kept. Several people could be seen climbing out of windows that had blackened borders because of the thick smoke.
Jhansi District Magistrate Avinash Kumar told mediapersons that staff at the NICU told officials that the fire broke out between 10.30 and 10.45 pm.
The NICU has two sections — the outer unit for babies in a stable condition and the inner unit for those in a critical condition. The fire is suspected to have originated in the inner unit, possibly caused by a short circuit.
“Almost all the babies in the outer unit are safe. However, 10 babies who were in the inner unit lost their lives. Many others were rescued, and rescue operations are still underway,” the DM said.
He added that the injured babies are being treated.
A two-member inquiry committee, comprising the Commissioner and the DIG, has been formed to probe the incident and submit a report to the Chief Minister.
In a post online, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the deaths are “extremely sad and heartbreaking”.
“The district administration and officials concerned have been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I pray to Lord Ram to provide salvation to the departed souls and speedy recovery to those injured,” he wrote.
An official statement said Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, also the state’s Health Minister, and the Principal Secretary of Health have left for Jhansi on the directions of the Chief Minister.
“I am extremely pained by this incident,” Jhansi Lok Sabha MP Anurag Sharma told a news channel, adding that he was out of station at the moment.
Sadar MLA Ravi Sharma also reached the hospital shortly after the incident.
In May this year, six newborns, aged between one day and 25 days, died when a fire broke out at a private neonatal care facility in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar.
