A fire broke out in the children’s wing of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district, killing at least ten children, according to officials. Sixteen others were injured and are still in serious condition.
According to hospital officials, around 54 newborns were admitted to the NICU unit. “This is a really sad and regrettable situation. Ten babies died in the fire, while around 35 were saved. Doctors are providing the best possible treatment to the wounded neonates. The government is in contact with medical college physicians,” BJP MLA Rajeev Singh Parichha stated.
Jhansi district magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar informed reporters that the fire started around 10:45 pm on Friday in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College. As per the officials, the prima facie cause of the fire is said to be due to a short circuit.
Children in the outer section of the NICU, along with some from the inner section, were successfully rescued.
“Prima facie there is information of the death of 10 children,” the DM said
Uttar Pradesh government announced that a multi-level investigation will be carried out into the fire at Medical College.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, UP deputy CM Brajesh Pathak promised strict action against those found responsible and assured the state government’s support to the families of the deceased infants.
“The death of the newborns is very unfortunate. Along with the family members, we are trying to identify the bodies of newborns. The first probe will be done at the administrative level which will be done by the health department, the second probe will be conducted by the Police administration…fire department team will also be a part of it, third, instructions have been given for the magisterial probe as well. The cause of the fire will be probed,” Pathak said.
“If any lapses are found, those who would be responsible, strict action will be taken against them and no one will be spared. The government is with the family members of the children,” he added.
Following the tragic fire, the UP CM announced financial support from the chief minister’s Relief Fund. “On the instructions of the chief minister, assistance of Rs 5 lakh each is being provided to the parents of the newborn babies who died in the incident and Rs 50,000 each to the families of the injured from the chief minister’s Relief Fund. The chief minister has directed the divisional commissioner and DIG of Jhansi to submit a report regarding the incident within 12 hours,” UP CMO office said in a post on X.
PM calls incident ‘heart wrenching’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of children in fire, saying, “Heartbreaking! The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss.”
हृदयविदारक! उत्तर प्रदेश में झांसी के मेडिकल कॉलेज में आग लगने से हुआ हादसा मन को व्यथित करने वाला है। इसमें जिन्होंने अपने मासूम बच्चों को खो दिया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी शोक-संवेदनाएं। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि उन्हें इस अपार दुख को सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करे। राज्य सरकार की…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 16, 2024
“The local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue,” he added.
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath also took cognizance of the incident and instructed district officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. “The death of children in an accident that took place in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. District administration and concerned officials have been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing,” he posted in Hindi on X.
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Source: TOI
