Ten babies die in fire at Indian hospital’s neonatal unit
Ten newborn babies tragically lost their lives due to burns and suffocation following a devastating fire that swept through a neonatal intensive care unit at the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi district, located in northern India. The incident occurred late on Friday, shocking the nation and prompting swift emergency response efforts.
According to state Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, the ward where the fire broke out was home to 49 infants at the time of the blaze. Fortunately, emergency responders were able to rescue 38 newborns from the unit, but the remaining 11 were unable to escape the flames. Of the 38 infants rescued, 17 are currently receiving treatment in various hospital wings and private medical facilities.
Tragically, seven of the deceased infants have been identified, while authorities are working diligently to identify the remaining three. Additionally, one infant is still unaccounted for, adding to the heartbreak and devastation caused by this horrific incident.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordering a thorough inquiry to determine the circumstances that led to the tragedy. The loss of these innocent lives has deeply affected the community and sparked an outpouring of condolences and support from leaders across the country.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow and condolences for the families affected by the tragedy, calling the incident “heart-wrenching” in a post on social media. He extended his prayers and thoughts to those who lost their precious children in the devastating fire, offering words of comfort and strength during this difficult time.
As the nation mourns the loss of these precious newborns, efforts are underway to provide support and assistance to the families impacted by this tragedy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety measures and the need for stringent protocols to prevent such devastating events in the future. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the victims as they navigate this unimaginable loss.
