Jhansi hospital fire: At least 10 newborns killed inside neonatal ICU
There were 54 infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh when the fire broke out. Videos posted on social media showed doctors and medical staff evacuating patients by breaking the windows of the ward.
In a shocking incident, at least 10 newborns were burned to death and over a dozen more were injured, with many of them in critical condition, after a massive fire broke out at the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday night. According to the hospital authorities, there were 54 infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) when the fire broke out.
CREDIT: BCCL
Short circuit blmaed for the fire
The children who were in the outer part of the NICU were rescued, along with some of those who were in the interior part.
"Prima facie, there is information of the death of 10 children," District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar said.
Initial reports suggest that a short circuit caused the massive fire outbreak inside the NICU.
CREDIT: BCCL
54 newborns in NICU when fire broke out
"There were 54 babies admitted in the NICU ward. Suddenly, a fire broke out inside the oxygen concentrator. Efforts to douse the fire were made, but since the room was highly oxygenated, the fire spread quickly. Many babies were rescued. Ten babies have died, and injured babies are undergoing treatment," said Chief Medical Superintendent at Jhansi Medical College, Sachin Mahor.
#Jhansi, UP: 10 newborn charred to death in a massive fire that broke out in the NICU of the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi, on Friday around 10.30 pm.
！ Saba Khan (@ItsKhan_Saba) November 15, 2024
Heart-wrenching scenes coming from the hospital. pic.twitter.com/OTxGLifkcK
Videos show the horror
Videos posted on social media showed doctors and medical staff evacuating patients by breaking the windows of the ward filled with smoke before fire brigade officials reached the spot.
#jhansimedicalcollege
！ ?????jaggirmRanbir????? (@jaggirm) November 15, 2024
A very heart breaking news coming in from Jhansi where a fire ?? broke out in children ward about 10 were burnt to death, relatives were seen running with their newborn babies .
About 37 children have been rescued safely there is no information about 13 pic.twitter.com/qGNVlBbOfu
UP government orders probe
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed officials of the district administration to ensure proper treatment for the injured newborns.
The chief minister directed the district administration officials and the fire brigade vehicles to reach the spot and expedite the relief work.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said that a multi-level investigation would be conducted into the fire incident and assured that strict action would be taken against whoever was responsible for the incident.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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