Jhansi: In an extremely tragic and unfortunate incident, at least ten new-born babies have lost their lives after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi. There were 54 babies in the ward when the fire broke out of which 10 have been killed and 16 others are undergoing treatment. 

Jhansi Medical College Fire: At Least 10 Children Killed

At least 10 children died in a fire that engulfed the children’s ward of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district, officials said, as 16 others injured battled for life on Saturday. 

District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar told reporters that the fire broke out around 10.45 pm on Friday in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, possibly due to an electrical short circuit.

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,” the DM said.

Those less critical are admitted in the outer section of the NICU while the more critical patients are kept in the interior part, Kumar said. Divisional Commissioner Jhansi Bimal Kumar Dubey, who reached the hospital around midnight, told reporters that there were about 30 children in the interior section of the NICU and most of them were rescued.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jhansi Sudha Singh on Saturday said another 16 children who suffered injuries in the episode were undergoing treatment. There were over 50 children admitted in the NICU when the incident took place.

Jhansi Fire: Latest Updates

• Jhansi Medical College Fire Death Toll: As per the latest report, ten new-born babies have lost their lives so far and 16 others are undergoing treatment.
• UP CM Takes Cognisance: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed officials of the district administration to ensure proper treatment to the injured, according to a statement issued in Lucknow. “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. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. The chief minister directed the district administration officials and the fire brigade vehicles to reach the spot and expedite the relief work.
• UP Dy CM Assures Financial Assistance: Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said on X he was en route to Jhansi. He said the incident was extremely said and heartbreaking. In a statement, Pathak said, “In February, the fire safety audit was done. In June, a mock drill was also done. How this incident happened and why it happened, we can only say something about it once the probe report comes…7 bodies of the newborns have been identified, 3 bodies haven’t been identified yet…financial support will be provided to the families of newborns…”
• Cause of the Accident: On the cause of the incident, the SSP reiterated the DM’s remarks, saying prima facie the fire appears to have been triggered by a short circuit. “However, a detailed investigation has been launched to ascertain under what conditions or due to whose laxity this happened,” Singh said.

(Inputs from PTI)