A devastating fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, late Friday night, claiming the lives of at least 10 children.
District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar confirmed the tragedy, stating that the fire likely resulted from an electrical short circuit. It erupted around 10:45 PM, engulfing the NICU, which housed vulnerable newborns.
“The children in the outer part of the NICU were successfully rescued, along with some from the interior. However, preliminary reports confirm the unfortunate deaths of 10 children,” Kumar said.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
Emergency services, including the fire brigade and senior district officials, rushed to the site to contain the blaze and manage evacuation efforts. Visuals from the scene showed distraught parents and caregivers scrambling to safety, while police and medical staff worked tirelessly to rescue patients.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and directed officials to provide immediate treatment to the injured. In a statement from Lucknow, he also called for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Immediate Government Response
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak, along with the principal secretary of health, were dispatched to Jhansi on the CM’s instructions.
Adityanath has demanded a detailed report on the tragedy from the divisional commissioner of Jhansi and the deputy inspector general of the police range within 12 hours.
The fire highlights ongoing concerns about safety protocols in public healthcare facilities and has raised questions about the state’s preparedness for such emergencies.
The families of the deceased are calling for accountability and justice as the authorities work to uncover the cause of the fire and prevent similar incidents in the future.
