Jhansi Medical College Fire: PM Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia, 10 Newborns Killed | LIVE

Jhansi: In an extremely tragic and unfortunate incident, at least ten new-born babies have lost their lives after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi. There were 54 babies in the ward when the fire broke out of which 10 have been killed and 16 others are undergoing treatment. Jhansi Medical College Fire: At Least 10 Children KilledAt least 10 children died in a fire that engulfed the children's ward of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi district, officials said, as 16 others injured battled for life on Saturday. District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar told reporters that the fire broke out around 10.45 pm on Friday in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, possibly due to an electrical short circuit.The children who were in the outer part of the NICU were rescued, along with some of those who were in the interior part. "Prima facie there is information of the death of 10 children," the DM said.Those less critical are admitted in the outer section of the NICU while the more critical patients are kept in the interior part, Kumar said. Divisional Commissioner Jhansi Bimal Kumar Dubey, who reached the hospital around midnight, told reporters that there were about 30 children in the interior section of the NICU and most of them were rescued.Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jhansi Sudha Singh on Saturday said another 16 children who suffered injuries in the episode were undergoing treatment. There were over 50 children admitted in the NICU when the incident took place.Jhansi Fire: Latest UpdatesJhansi Medical College Fire Death Toll: As per the latest report, ten new-born babies have lost their lives so far and 16 others are undergoing treatment.PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia: PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Rradesh. He has also announced Rs 50,000 for the injured.Jhansi Fire Glaring Lapse: A glaring lapse has been highlighted that may have resulted in the spread of fire; the fire extinguisher, which the authorities claim were refilled in June and used by the ward boy, bears expiry details and the date mentioned on it is 24th July, 2022.Eyewitness Account of Jhansi Fire: An eyewitness, recalling the accident, revealed how a resident doctor came rushing from the NICU screaming that a fire has broken out in the ward and the babies need to be saved; the eyewitness also revealed that the doctor's leg had also caught fire. This is when a chaos happened to take the babies out of the ward. Shockingly, the eyewitness also revealed how when the fire broke out, fire extinguishers were used to douse the fire but unfortunately, the fire extinguishers were not working and the fire spread.CM Yogi Adityanath Announces Compensation: In a latest update, UP CM Yogi Adityanath has announced compensation for families of babies killed and injured in the tragedy. The CM has said, “Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi Medical College fire tragedy: 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.”Jhansi Fire Investigation: Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak has assured a three-level investigation in the tragedy. In a statement he said, "The incident is extremely unfortunate, and the government has taken it very seriously. The tragic death of 10 children is deeply saddening. We are working closely with the families to identify the victims. There will be three levels of investigation: the first by the Health department, the second by the police and district administration, and the third will be a magisterial inquiry. The most important point is to understand how this tragedy occurred. We stand with the children and their families."President Droupadi Murmu Offers Condolence: In a post on ‘X’, President Murmu has condoled the death of the ten babies and has prayed for recovery of those injured. The post read, “The news of the death of several newborn babies in the accident at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh is extremely heartbreaking. May God give strength to the bereaved parents and families to bear this cruel blow. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured babies.”UP CM Takes Cognisance: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and directed officials of the district administration to ensure proper treatment to the injured, according to a statement issued in Lucknow. "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. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. The chief minister directed the district administration officials and the fire brigade vehicles to reach the spot and expedite the relief work.UP Dy CM Assures Financial Assistance: Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who also holds the health portfolio, said on X he was en route to Jhansi. He said the incident was extremely said and heartbreaking. In a statement, Pathak said, “In February, the 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 the probe report comes...7 bodies of the newborns have been identified, 3 bodies haven't been identified yet...financial support will be provided to the families of newborns...”Cause of the Accident: On the cause of the incident, the SSP reiterated the DM's remarks, saying prima facie the 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)

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Jhansi Medical College Fire: PM Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia, 10 Newborns Killed | LIVE

Jhansi Medical College Fire: At least 10 new-born babies have lost their lives after fire in the NICU of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College - latest update.

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