At least 10 newborns tragically lost their lives in a fire that broke out late Friday night at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The fire, which occurred around 10:45 PM, has left 16 children in critical condition, while 44 others were rescued by hospital staff.
District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar confirmed the number of fatalities, with seven of the deceased babies already identified. Efforts are underway to identify the remaining victims, including DNA tests if necessary. A source close to the investigation indicated that a short-circuit in an oxygen concentrator may have triggered the fire, though a detailed probe is ongoing.
The chaotic scene at the hospital continued into the following morning, as parents of the surviving children were not permitted to meet their infants. Relatives, already devastated by the tragedy, began protesting outside the hospital in frustration, demanding to see their children. Some reports suggested the restriction was intended to prevent confusion regarding the babies’ identities in the aftermath of the fire.
Fire Safety and Investigations
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who oversees health affairs, confirmed that the fire likely began from a short-circuit inside an oxygen concentrator. A video showing charred medical equipment and panicked relatives circulating online further underscored the severity of the incident. A woman who lost her child shared her grief with the media, recounting how she was informed that her baby had died after the fire.
According to Jhansi’s Senior Superintendent of Police, Sudha Singh, 16 children who sustained injuries are receiving medical treatment at local hospitals, and doctors are working tirelessly to save them. The state government has denied allegations that fire alarms and safety systems were malfunctioning. Pathak added that the hospital had conducted a fire safety audit in February and a mock drill in June, with further investigations to determine the cause of the incident.
The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered three separate inquiries: one by the health department, one by police, and a magisterial inquiry to investigate the incident thoroughly.
Government Response and Financial Assistance
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath swiftly responded to the tragedy by mobilizing rescue efforts. He ordered senior officials to coordinate emergency services and deployed additional fire-fighting resources. The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance for the families of the victims, offering ₹5 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those with serious injuries.
On a national level, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences over the tragedy. President Murmu described the incident as “extremely heartbreaking” and prayed for strength for the grieving families. Prime Minister Modi, calling the fire “heartbreaking,” announced ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of the victims and ₹50,000 for the injured. He assured that the local administration was taking all possible measures to assist the victims.
Opposition’s Response
Opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party, have raised concerns about possible negligence on the part of the hospital administration. Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanded immediate action against those responsible for the incident, calling for a comprehensive review of safety measures at medical institutions in the state.
As the investigation continues, the families affected by this devastating tragedy are left to cope with the loss of their newborns, while the state authorities work to ensure justice and accountability for the horrific fire.
Sources By Agencies
