TL;DR:
- A fire broke out in the NICU of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, killing 10 newborns and injuring 16 others.
- The fire, likely caused by an electrical short circuit, spread rapidly through the overcrowded ward, which was housing over 50 infants.
- Rescue efforts saved 44 children, but grieving parents criticized the hospital’s safety measures, including non-functioning fire alarms.
- Authorities have launched an investigation, with promises of accountability and financial compensation for affected families.
A devastating fire broke out late Friday night in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, claiming the lives of at least 10 newborn babies. The fire, which officials believe was caused by an electrical short circuit, erupted around 10:45 PM, engulfing the children’s ward and leading to a frantic rescue operation.
District Magistrate Avinash Kumar confirmed the deaths and stated that the fire likely originated from an oxygen concentrator inside the NICU. He added, “Prima facie there is information of the death of 10 children.” The NICU housed over 50 infants at the time of the incident, with 16 others suffering injuries and currently receiving treatment at various local hospitals. Senior Superintendent of Police Sudha Singh reported that all available medical personnel are working diligently to save the injured.
Rescue efforts managed to save 44 newborns from the flames. However, several parents are left grieving their losses. One mother, whose child was born just three days earlier on November 13, tearfully told reporters, “My child has been killed in the fire.”
The fire spread rapidly throughout the NICU, which was reportedly overcrowded at the time. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the hospital on Saturday morning and expressed his sorrow over the tragedy. He assured families that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to determine accountability. Pathak stated, “If any lapses are found, those responsible will face strict action.” He also announced financial compensation for affected families—₹5 lakh for each family that lost a child and ₹50,000 for those whose children were injured.
The incident has sparked widespread concern over safety protocols at hospitals across India. Witnesses and parents reported that fire alarms failed to activate during the blaze, delaying evacuation efforts. Naresh Kumar, a parent who lost his child in the fire, lamented that if safety alarms had worked properly, more lives could have been saved.
This tragedy has drawn attention to recurring issues with fire safety in Indian hospitals. Fires are not uncommon in medical facilities across the country due to inadequate maintenance and lax enforcement of safety regulations. In May 2024, a similar fire at a children’s hospital in New Delhi resulted in six infant deaths.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the incident on social media, calling it “heartbreaking.” He offered condolences to the bereaved families and assured them that local authorities are working tirelessly on relief efforts. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also issued a statement calling for immediate relief operations and announced a multi-level investigation into the cause of the fire.
Opposition leaders have criticized what they see as negligence on the part of hospital management. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav called it a “direct case of negligence,” pointing to possible failures in maintaining equipment like oxygen concentrators.
As investigations continue into this tragic event, questions remain about how such a disaster could occur despite previous safety audits and drills. The government has promised swift action to prevent future tragedies and hold those responsible accountable for this heartbreaking loss of innocent lives.
Source: The Daily Star
