A devastating fire erupted in a neonatal intensive care unit at a hospital in northern India, resulting in the tragic deaths of 10 newborns and injuries to an additional 16 infants, according to officials.
The incident took place on Friday night at a hospital located in Jhansi city, situated within the state of Uttar Pradesh. Reports indicate that the fire rapidly spread through the ward, which was caring for a total of 55 babies. Local official Bimal Kumar Dubey confirmed that 45 infants were successfully rescued and are currently receiving medical treatment.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and authorities are seeking answers regarding what initially ignited the flames. In response to this calamity, Brajesh Pathak, the deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, visited the hospital on Saturday to meet with the affected families. He assured them of government assistance and committed to a comprehensive investigation into the fire.
“We will take necessary steps to hold those accountable for this incident,” Pathak stated. “The government is here to support families through this heartbreaking period.”
When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found the ward fully engulfed in flames and thick smoke. Rescuers faced challenges in reaching the infants, as they had to break windows to access the area. Eyewitness accounts revealed that there was a delay of around 30 minutes before the rescue operation commenced after the fire broke out, which hindered evacuation efforts considerably.