The fire broke out at the Jhansi hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit, most likely as a result of a short circuit.
On Friday, a major fire broke out at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, killing at least ten children and injuring 16 more.
The fire, most likely started by a short circuit, sparked panic and confusion, with relatives and patients hurriedly attempting to flee, resulting in a stampede-like scene.
Firefighters were called to the scene and successfully evacuated 37 youngsters from the hospital. A fire broke out in the children’s ward, where 54 patients had been admitted.
District Magistrate Avinash Kumar said that the blaze could have been sparked by a short circuit, and that further investigation is underway.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the tragedy as “heartbreaking” and instructed officials to offer top-notch medical care to those affected.
Speaking to X, Chief Minister Adityanath stated, “The death of infants in a tragedy that occurred in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is exceedingly painful and tragic. The district administration and relevant officials have been told to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I pray to Lord Shri Ram for the salvation of the departed souls and the rapid recovery of the injured.
He also asked the Divisional Commissioner and DIG to provide a complete report within 12 hours. Following the Chief Minister’s directions, Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak and Health Secretary Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma went to Jhansi to coordinate relief efforts. Senior officials, including the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and Inspector General of Police (DIG), visited the hospital to oversee the rescue and relief activities.
SSP Sudha Singh stated that the 16 injured youngsters are being treated, and efforts are being made to save their lives.
She claimed that they have access to all doctors and enough medical facilities. On the cause of the incident, the SSP echoed the DM’s observations, stating that the fire seemed to have been caused by a short circuit.
“However, a thorough investigation has been launched to determine under what circumstances or due to whose laxity this occurred,” Singh added, as reported by news agency PTI.
According to the district police head, while 10 children died and others were rescued or injured, there were reports that some parents took their children home after the fire broke out in the NICU. She added the police were working to verify the number of youngsters in the NICU and their current status.
“The medical college stated that 52 to 54 minors were admitted at the time of the incident.”Ten of them have died, 16 are being treated, and verification for the others is proceeding,” Singh informed us. Around 1 a.m., she reported that the NICU rescue mission was completed.
The state-run medical college, founded in 1968, is currently one of the largest government hospitals in Uttar Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region.
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