In a heartbreaking incident at a neonatal ward in a hospital in northern India, a fire has taken the lives of ten newborns, leaving families in chaos and mourning.
Tragic Blaze Claims Lives of Newborns in Indian Hospital
Tragic Blaze Claims Lives of Newborns in Indian Hospital
A devastating fire in Uttar Pradesh results in the loss of at least ten infants, with families desperate to find their children.
At least ten newborns lost their lives in a tragic fire at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, late Friday night. As flames engulfed the neonatal ward, frantic parents and relatives attempted to rescue their babies, breaking windows and pushing through hospital staff who were trying to maintain order. A distressed grandmother recounted, “The nurses were pushing people out, but those who managed to get in grabbed any child they could.”
While hospital staff successfully evacuated 44 infants, reports indicate that at least 16 of them are currently in critical condition. The tragedy deepens as three of the deceased babies remain unidentified, leaving some parents in anguish as they search for their children. Santoshi, a mother whose 10-day-old baby is among the missing, expressed her despair, stating, “When the fire broke out, I couldn't go inside to rescue my baby. How could I?”
The fire, which started in the intensive care section of the ward around 10:30 PM local time, is believed to have been caused by an electrical fault. Initial investigations suggested a malfunction in a machine designed to increase oxygen levels.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences online, describing the incident as "heart-wrenching," and expressed his prayers for the bereaved families. In response to the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh state government announced financial compensation of 500,000 rupees (approximately $5,900) for the affected families.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak revealed that a safety audit of the public hospital had taken place in February, and a fire drill occurred as recently as June. This devastating event marks the second hospital fire in India in just six months that has resulted in the loss of newborn lives, following a May incident in a private facility in Delhi.
