NEW DELHI: At least 10 children lost their lives in a fire that broke out in the children’s ward of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district, officials said. Sixteen others sustained injuries and are currently in critical condition.
According to hospital officials, there were around 54 infants admitted to the NICU ward. “This is a very sad and unfortunate incident. 10 newborns died in the fire, and around 35 newborns were rescued. Doctors are giving the best possible treatment to the injured newborns. Government is in touch with medical college doctors,” BJP MLA Rajeev Singh Parichha said.
Also read: 10 newborns burned to death in fire at Jhansi government hospital
Here are the top developments so far
Short circuit could be the cause
Jhansi district magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar informed reporters that the fire started around 10:45 pm on Friday in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College. As per the officials, the prima facie cause of the fire is said to be due to a short circuit.
Children in the outer section of the NICU, along with some from the inner section, were successfully rescued.
“Prima facie there is information of the death of 10 children,” the DM said.
UP government orders probe
Uttar Pradesh government announced that a multi-level investigation will be carried out into the fire at Medical College.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, UP deputy CM Brajesh Pathak promised strict action against those found responsible and assured the state government’s support to the families of the deceased infants.
“The death of the newborns is very unfortunate. Along with the family members, we are trying to identify the bodies of newborns. The first probe will be done at the administrative level which will be done by the health department, the second probe will be conducted by the Police administration…fire department team will also be a part of it, third, instructions have been given for the magisterial probe as well. The cause of the fire will be probed,” Pathak said.
“If any lapses are found, those who would be responsible, strict action will be taken against them and no one will be spared. The government is with the family members of the children,” he added.
Chief minister announces compensation
Following the tragic fire, the UP CM announced financial support from the chief minister’s Relief Fund. “On the instructions of the chief minister, assistance of Rs 5 lakh each is being provided to the parents of the newborn babies who died in the incident and Rs 50,000 each to the families of the injured from the chief minister’s Relief Fund. The chief minister has directed the divisional commissioner and DIG of Jhansi to submit a report regarding the incident within 12 hours,” UP CMO office said in a post on X.
PM calls incident ‘heart wrenching’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of children in fire, saying, “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.”
“The local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue,” he added.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also took cognisance of the incident and instructed district officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. “The death of children in an accident that took place in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. District administration and concerned officials have been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing,” he posted in Hindi on X.
‘Direct case of negligence,’ says Akhilesh
Commenting on the incident, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said, “The news of 10 children dying and many children getting injured due to fire in Jhansi Medical College is extremely sad and worrying. Heartfelt condolences to everyone.”
He added, “The fire is reported to have been caused by an ‘oxygen concentrator’. This is clearly a case of negligence by medical management and administration or the use of poor-quality oxygen concentrators. All responsible individuals should face punitive action. The chief minister should focus on the deterioration of health and medical services instead of election campaigning and making false claims of everything being fine.”