Tragic Fire at Jhansi Hospital Infant Ward: 10 Children Dead, Many Injured

Tragic Fire at Jhansi Hospital: At least 16 children are battling for life while 10 newborns reportedly died as a fire broke out last night at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi.

The fire erupted in the neonatal intensive care unit of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College around 10:45 pm, said District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar, who confirmed the casualties.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said a short-circuit inside the oxygen concentrator possibly caused the fire.

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At least 54 children were admitted to the NICU at that moment as officials swung into action and rescued 44 newborns.

Seven of the 10 victims have been identified, said an official, adding that DNA tests will be carried out if needed.

The government has announced financial aid for their families.

Visuals of panicking patients and their caregivers outside the hospital while some charred medical equipment were seen inside the hospital.

A woman, who lost her child in the blaze at the state-run hospital in which at least 62 people died, said she could not trace her baby after the incident and was later informed that the baby had died.

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Early today, SSP Jhansi Sudha Singh said, "16 children injured are currently under treatment in local hospitals and efforts are on to save them. All doctors are available for them along with appropriate medical facilities", she asserted.

The fire alarms of the hospital too have not been reported to be working, sources assigned the reason as non-maintenance of emergency systems.

Mr Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio said, the fire safety audit of the hospital was carried out in February followed by a mock fire drill in June. "On how and why it happened, we can say something about it once the probe report comes," said Mr Pathak.

He said there will be three levels of investigation into the fire - one each by the health department, the police, and a magisterial inquiry.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath last night directed senior officials and doctors to carry out rescue operations on a war footing and sought adequate deployment of firefighting vehicles.

The chief minister has also announced ₹ 5 lakh financial assistance for the families of the victims. Those who suffered serious injuries will get ₹ 50,000 each.

The Chief Minister has also sought a report from the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jhansi within 12 hours.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also condoled over the fire tragedy.

The news of the death of several newborn babies in the accident at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh is very heart-wrenching. May God give strength to the grieved parents and families to be able to bear this cruel blow. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured babies, President Murmu said.

Calling the fire incident "heartbreaking", PM Modi has announced ₹ 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the victims' families and ₹ 50,000 for the injured.

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