In a heart-wrenching incident, at least ten newborns have died in a fire that erupted in the neonatal ward of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. Chaos erupted as desperate parents, some breaking windows, fought to reach their infants amidst the smoke and flames. Eyewitness accounts reveal grim scenes, with parents frantically grabbing any child they could find.
Hospital staff reportedly managed to rescue 44 infants from the blaze, but the situation remains grave, with at least 16 of them in critical condition. Shockingly, three of the deceased babies have yet to be identified, leaving parents in agony over the fate of their children. Santoshi, a new mother whose 10-day-old baby is still missing, expressed her horror, stating, "How could I rescue my baby when no one was able to get inside?"
Initial investigations indicate that the fire may have been caused by electrical issues, with officials suspecting a short circuit or malfunction in a device meant to increase oxygen levels in the intensive care unit. Images from the aftermath depict distraught parents gathered outside the hospital, waiting for news.
In a gesture of sympathy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his condolences online, calling the event "heart-wrenching" and offering prayers for the grieving families. The Uttar Pradesh government has announced compensation of 500,000 rupees (£4,600; $5,900) to those affected by the tragedy.
Authorities mentioned that safety checks had been conducted at the hospital earlier this year, including a fire drill conducted recently in June. This disaster marks the second significant hospital fire in India within six months, raising serious concerns about neonatal safety in medical facilities, following a similar tragedy in May that led to six infant fatalities in a private hospital in Delhi.
