The neonatology ward at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi was engulfed in flames, leading to chaotic scenes as families desperately attempted to rescue their infants.
Tragedy Strikes as Fire Claims Lives of Newborns in Indian Hospital
Tragedy Strikes as Fire Claims Lives of Newborns in Indian Hospital
A devastating hospital fire in northern India has left at least 10 newborns dead, prompting widespread grief and demands for accountability.
At least 10 infants lost their lives in a shocking hospital fire in northern India, with the incident unfolding at midnight in the neonatal ward of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The fire reportedly began due to an electrical fault in the intensive care unit, causing panic among parents and family members, some of whom were forced to break windows to access their children.
Local media have described harrowing scenes where parents "grabbed any child they could" during the chaos. Nursing staff struggled to maintain order, pushing relatives back as they attempted to aid in the rescue effort. Sadly, while 44 infants were saved, 16 remain in critical condition. Three of the deceased babies have yet to be identified, leaving parents in anguish.
Santoshi, a mother searching for her missing 10-day-old baby, spoke of her despair, saying, "When the fire broke out, I couldn't go inside to rescue my baby. How could I?"
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences online, calling the incident "heart-wrenching." He shared prayers for strength with grieving families. In the wake of the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh state government has promised compensation of 500,000 rupees to affected families.
This incident raises serious questions about hospital safety protocols and the lack of effective fire drills, as state officials noted that a safety review was conducted just a few months earlier. This marks the second major fire incident in Indian neonatal facilities within six months, highlighting a concerning trend regarding hospital safety for vulnerable populations.
Local media have described harrowing scenes where parents "grabbed any child they could" during the chaos. Nursing staff struggled to maintain order, pushing relatives back as they attempted to aid in the rescue effort. Sadly, while 44 infants were saved, 16 remain in critical condition. Three of the deceased babies have yet to be identified, leaving parents in anguish.
Santoshi, a mother searching for her missing 10-day-old baby, spoke of her despair, saying, "When the fire broke out, I couldn't go inside to rescue my baby. How could I?"
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences online, calling the incident "heart-wrenching." He shared prayers for strength with grieving families. In the wake of the tragedy, the Uttar Pradesh state government has promised compensation of 500,000 rupees to affected families.
This incident raises serious questions about hospital safety protocols and the lack of effective fire drills, as state officials noted that a safety review was conducted just a few months earlier. This marks the second major fire incident in Indian neonatal facilities within six months, highlighting a concerning trend regarding hospital safety for vulnerable populations.
