Jhansi: Fire in hospital NICU claims lives of 10 newborns, injures 16;  CM Yogi Adityanath orders probe

A devastating fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district on Friday night, leading to the deaths of at least 10 newborns and injuries to 16 others. Officials have attributed the cause of the fire to a possible electrical short circuit.

How the Incident Unfolded

The fire started around 10:45 PM in the NICU, where over 50 infants were being treated. District Magistrate Avinash Kumar confirmed that the fire affected the interior section of the NICU, where the critically ill infants were housed.

Speaking to reporters, Kumar said, “Prima facie there is information of the death of 10 children.” Rescue efforts saved many infants, including those in the outer section of the NICU. However, the fire caused widespread panic, with parents and caregivers scrambling for safety.

Jhansi Divisional Commissioner Bimal Kumar Dubey stated that approximately 30 children were in the interior NICU section at the time of the fire, and most were rescued.

The medical college informed that 52 to 54 children were admitted at the time of the incident. 

Response and Relief Measures

A fire brigade and senior district officials rushed to the scene to contain the fire and manage rescue operations. Visuals from the site depicted chaos as parents and medical staff evacuated infants while police aided in the rescue effort.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed profound grief and instructed officials to expedite rescue and relief measures. “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,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who oversees the health portfolio, reached the site with the state’s principal health secretary. Pathak assured the public of a thorough investigation and strict action against any negligence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of children in a fire assuring that the local administration under the state government’s supervision is making every possible effort for relief and rescue.

“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,” Modi was quoted as saying in a post in Hindi on X by the Prime Minister’s Office.“The local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue,” he said.

Financial Assistance for Affected Families

The Uttar Pradesh government announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured, from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Deputy Chief Minister Pathak added that DNA tests might be conducted to identify three of the deceased newborns.

Investigation Underway

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sudha Singh stated that a detailed investigation has been launched. Initial reports indicate the fire may have started due to a short circuit in the oxygen concentrator. Singh confirmed that verification efforts are ongoing to account for all children in the NICU, as some parents reportedly took their children home during the chaos.

“Probes at administrative, police, fire department, and magisterial levels have been ordered. If any lapses are found, no one will be spared,” said Deputy Chief Minister Pathak.

The tragedy has left families and the community in mourning. Parents who lost their children, including a couple from Mahoba district, expressed their anguish. A mother whose child was born just hours before the fire cried inconsolably, saying, “My child has been killed in the fire.”

The incident has raised serious concerns about safety protocols in government hospitals. As one of the largest medical facilities in the Bundelkhand region, Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College serves thousands of patients. Authorities and healthcare professionals now face mounting pressure to ensure such incidents do not recur.

(With agency inputs)