A massive fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi, claiming the lives of 10 newborn babies late on Friday night.
How Did the Blaze Emerge?
According to District Magistrate Avinash Kumar, the fire reportedly broke out at around 10:45 pm. He said that the more critical patients were admitted in the interior section of the Nicu, where the fire spread faster.
The prima facie cause of the fire is suspected to be due to a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator. The fire then caught the oxygen- rich ward, which spread within the neonatal ward.
“Between 10:30 and 10:45 pm, a short circuit occurred inside the NICU unit, which led to a fire. The children who were outside the unit were saved. Many of those inside were also rescued, but unfortunately, 10 children have died so far. The rescue operation is ongoing. The fire brigade and rescue team responded immediately, managing to save many children. We are providing medical care to the critically injured. According to the duty staff, the fire was caused by a short circuit,” Jhansi DIG Kalanidhi Naithani said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy chief minister Brijesh Pathak reported that a total of 49 children were in the ward, which has the capacity of only 18 beds. He further said that the bodies of seven children have been identified and three remain unidentified.
PM Modi Condoles the Death of Babies
“Heartbreaking! The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss,” PM Modi posted on X
“The local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue,” he added.
CM Yogi Orders Investigation
“The death of children in an accident that occurred in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to provide salvation to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured,” CM Yogi said on X
Ex Gratia for kin of Deceased
CM Yogi Adityanath announced ₹5 lakh each to families of children who died and ₹50,000 to families of those injured in the incident.
“On the CM’s instructions, an assistance of Rs 5 lakh each is being provided to the parents of the newborns who died in the incident and Rs 50,000 to the family of each of the injured from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” a statement from the state government said.
