Jhansi Medical College Fire: 10 Newborns Killed, CM Announces Compensation | LIVE

Jhansi: In an extremely tragic and unfortunate incident, at least ten new-born babies have lost ir lives after a fire broke out in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Presh's Jhansi. re were 54 babies in ward when fire broke out of which 10 have been killed and 16 ors are undergoing treatment. 

Jhansi Medical College Fire: At Least 10 Children Killed

At least 10 children died in a fire that engulfed children's ward of a medical college in Uttar Presh's Jhansi district, officials said, 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 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (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. "Prima facie re is information of death of 10 children," DM said.

Those less critical are mitted in outer section of NICU while more critical patients are kept in interior part, Kumar said. Divisional Commissioner Jhansi Bimal Kumar Dubey, who reached hospital around midnight, told reporters that re were about 30 children in interior section of NICU and most of m were rescued.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jhansi Sudha Singh on Saturday said anor 16 children who suffered injuries in episode were undergoing treatment. re were over 50 children mitted in NICU when incident took place.

Jhansi Fire: Latest Updates

• Jhansi Medical College Fire Death Toll: As per latest report, ten new-born babies have lost ir lives so far and 16 ors are undergoing treatment.
• CM Yogi ityanath Announces Compensation: In a latest update, UP CM Yogi ityanath has announced compensation for families of babies killed and injured in tragedy. CM has said, “Uttar Presh's Jhansi Medical College fire tragedy: On instructions of Chief Minister, assistance of Rs 5 lakh each is being provided to parents of newborn babies who died in incident and Rs 50,000 each to families of injured from Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Chief Minister has directed Divisional Commissioner and DIG of Jhansi to submit a report regarding incident within 12 hours.”
• Jhansi Fire Investigation: Uttar Presh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak has assured a three-level investigation in tragedy. In a statement he said, " incident is extremely unfortunate, and government has taken it very seriously. tragic death of 10 children is deeply sdening. We are working closely with families to identify victims. re will be three levels of investigation: first by Health department, second by police and district ministration, and third will be a magisterial inquiry. most important point is to understand how this tragedy occurred. We stand with children and ir families."
• President Droupi Murmu Offers Condolence: In a post on ‘X’, President Murmu has condoled death of ten babies and has prayed for recovery of those injured. post re, “ news of death of several newborn babies in accident at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi in Uttar Presh is extremely heartbreaking. May God give strength to bereaved parents and families to bear this cruel blow. I pray for speedy recovery of injured babies.”
• UP CM Takes Cognisance: Chief Minister Yogi ityanath took cognisance of incident and directed officials of district ministration to ensure proper treatment to injured, according to a statement issued in Lucknow. " death of children in an accident that took place in NICU of medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely s and heartbreaking. District ministration and concerned officials have been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing," he posted in Hindi on X. He also wished for speedy recovery of injured. chief minister directed district ministration officials and fire brige vehicles to reach spot and expedite relief work.
• UP Dy CM Assures Financial Assistance: Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds health portfolio, said on X he was en route to Jhansi. He said incident was extremely said and heartbreaking. In a statement, Pathak said, “In February, fire safety audit was done. In June, a mock drill was also done. How this incident happened and why it happened, we can only say something about it once probe report comes...7 bodies of newborns have been identified, 3 bodies haven't been identified yet...financial support will be provided to families of newborns...”
• Cause of Accident: On cause of incident, SSP reiterated DM's remarks, saying prima facie fire appears to have been triggered by a short circuit. "However, a detailed investigation has been launched to ascertain under what conditions or due to whose laxity this happened," Singh said.

(Inputs from PTI)