Jhansi Fire Tragedy: UP Govt Announces Financial Assistance of Rs 5 Lakh for Parents of Deceased

Lucknow: Hours after a fire claimed lives of at least 10 newborn children in Jhansi district, Uttar Presh government on Saturday announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to parents of deceased, an official said.

A statement issued by Uttar Presh government said that Chief Minister Yogi ityanath has expressed deep grief over incident that took place in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College.

"On instructions of chief minister, an assistance of Rs 5 lakh each is being provided to parents of newborn babies, who died untimely in incident, and Rs 50,000 each to family members of injured from Chief Minister's Relief Fund," statement said.

As soon as information about incident was received late Friday night, chief minister sent Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak and Principal Secretary Health to spot overnight, statement ded.

chief minister kept getting information from spot every moment throughout night. He also kept an eye on TV, statement said.

chief minister has directed Divisional Commissioner and DIG of Jhansi to submit a report regarding incident within 12 hours, statement ded.

At least 10 children died in fire that engulfed children's ward of medical college as 16 ors injured battled for life on Saturday.

District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar told reporters that fire broke out around 10.45 pm on Friday in NICU of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College possibly due to an electrical short circuit.

children, who were in outer part of NICU, were rescued along with some of those who were in interior part.

Meanwhile, Uttar Presh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak told PTI on Saturday, "As many as 10 newborn children have died in incident. 16 children are undergoing treatment in or wards of Jhansi Medical College. children, who were three to four days old have been kept on a warmer." He ded that incident took place due to electrical short circuit and assured that strict action would be initiated against those found guilty.

In early hours of Saturday, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sudha Singh told reporters that 16 injured children are being treated and efforts are underway to save ir lives.

All doctors are available for m along with equate medical facilities, she ded.

Singh said that while 10 children died, ors were eir rescued or found injured.

re were also inputs that some parents took ir kids home after fire erupted in NICU, she ded.

SSP said police were making efforts to verify tally of children, who were in NICU and ir current status.

" medical college has informed that 52 to 54 children were mitted at time of incident. 10 of m have died, 16 are undergoing treatment while verification for ors is ongoing," she ded.

rescue operation in NICU was complete, she said around 1 am.

state-run medical college started services in 1968 and is one of largest government hospitals in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Presh. 

(Except heline, this story is not edited by Republic and is published from a syndicated feed)