Tragic Hospital Fire Claims Lives of Newborns in Uttar Pradesh

On Friday night, a fire erupted in the neonatal ward of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, leading to the tragic deaths of ten newborns. Rescue efforts were able to save 44 infants, but 16 remain in critical condition due to injuries sustained during the incident, which officials attribute to an electrical fault. Emotional scenes unfolded as grieving parents gathered outside the facility. The fire reportedly ignited in the intensive care unit around 10:30 PM local time, with investigations indicating a possible short circuit in equipment designed to regulate oxygen levels.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow online, describing the loss as "heart-wrenching" and offering condolences to the families affected. Local officials confirmed that three victims have not yet been identified, and the Uttar Pradesh government plans to provide 500,000 rupees (approximately $5,900) in compensation to the victims' families. This tragic event marks the second instance of its kind in India within six months; earlier, a fire in a private facility in Delhi claimed six newborn lives. Safety measures, including a recent fire drill, had been conducted at the hospital where Friday’s incident occurred, raising serious questions regarding hospital safety protocols.