10 Children Killed As Massive Fire Engulfs Pediatric Ward at Jhansi Hospital

Jhansi: At least 10 children died and several others injured after a massive fire broke out at the children's ward of a hospital in Jhansi. Reportedly, the fire, which broke out in the Pediatric Ward of Jhansi Medical College and Hospital impacted the infant ward majorly, where around 54 infants and newborns were admitted. The local police of the Jhansi district along with teams of firefighters rushed to the spot and initiated a rescue operation. Efforts to douse the fire are underway at the hospital. 

According to the police, ten newborns died after the fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi on Friday night.

As per the official, several fire brigade vehicles were rushed to the spot, and dozens of children were rescued, but several newborns did not make it. The fire led to a stampede-like situation at the hospital. 

CM Yogi Takes Cognizance Of Jhansi Hospital Fire

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken immediate cognisance of the incident and directed the district and hospital officials to rush to the hospital and speed up the relief work. CM Yogi has instructed the officials to provide all necessary arrangements to ensure the best treatment for all the victims of the incidents.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that CM Yogi Adityanath mourned the deaths of innocent lives in the state's Government Medical College. “The chief minister has given instructions to the district administration officials to mobilise all the necessary emergency services,” the CMO official said.  

Reports suggested that the fire broke out at around 10.45 pm in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the college, possibly due to an electrical short circuit.

District Magistrate Avinash Kumar confirmed the deaths of the 10 children and reported that the children in the outer part of the NICU were rescued, along with some from the interior. However, the toll may rise as the rescue operation continues. Those, who were less critical were admitted to the outer section of the NICU, while the more critical patients were kept in the interior section. 

Divisional Commissioner Jhansi Vimal Dubey stated that there were about 30 children in the interior section of the NICU only, and most were rescued. A fire brigade was rushed to the scene, and senior district officials reached the medical college. Jhansi police reported that the patients and caretakers were evacuated from the site after the fire broke out. 

Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak Leaves For Jhansi

CM Yogi Adityanath took immediate cognizance of the incident and directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed officials to expedite relief work. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and the principal secretary of the health department have left for Jhansi to supervise the relief work being done at the hospital. 

The incident has left a couple from Mahoba district grieving the demise of their newborn child, born on November 13. The mother expressed her devastation, saying, "My child has been killed in the fire." Jhansi Lok Sabha MP Anurag Sharma expressed his pain and sadness, stating that he was out of station at the moment. Sadar MLA Ravi Sharma also reached the hospital shortly after the incident.

CM Instructs DIG, Commissioner To Investigate Incident and Submit Reports In 12 Days

CM Yogi has taken cognizance of the incident and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. As per reports, the Deputy Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner have been assigned to investigate the fire incident and submit the report in 12 days.

According to the Jhansi police, the fire erupted at around 10.45 pm in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), possibly due to an electrical short circuit. It is being claimed that at least 54 children were present inside the ward when the fire broke out.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, and the district administration has been directed to submit a report within 12 hours. The incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place at the medical college.

Further details are being awaited.