A devastating fire broke out late Friday night in the neonatal ward of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 newborns. The blaze, reportedly caused by an electrical fault, left families in mourning and raised urgent concerns about hospital safety standards.
Incident and Rescue Efforts
the fire began around 10:30 PM local time in the intensive care unit of the neonatal ward. Witnesses described chaotic and harrowing scenes as desperate parents attempted to break into the ward to save their children. Many relatives smashed windows and fought through thick smoke, while medical staff worked to evacuate infants.
Despite our efforts, 10 babies could not be saved. Hospital authorities confirmed that 44 infants were successfully rescued, though 16 remain in critical condition. Some families are still searching for answers, as three of the deceased infants have yet to be identified.
A grieving man, Santoshi, spoke of her anguish to the ANI news agency, saying, “When fire broke out, I couldn’t go inside to rescue my baby. How could I? When no one was able to get inside, how could anyone hand me my baby?”
Cause of Blaze
Initial investigations suggest that the fire was triggered by an electrical short circuit in a machine used to regulate oxygen levels in the ward. Local officials are working to determine whether lapses in maintenance or equipment malfunction played a role.
National Mourning and Government Response
tragedy has drawn widespread attention and sympathy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow in a public statement, calling deaths “heart-wrenching” and offering condolences to bereaved families. “I pray to God to give my strength to bear this immense loss,” he wrote.
Uttar Pradesh state government has announced financial assistance of 500,000 rupees ($5,900) for the families of each victim. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak stated that safety reviews had been conducted as recently as June, though the incident has raised serious questions about the adequacy of those measures.
Recurring Issues of Hospital Fires
This is the second major hospital fire in India involving newborn fatalities in the past six months. In May, six infants lost their lives in a similar tragedy at a private neonatal facility in Delhi. Experts have long criticized the lack of stringent safety protocols in Indian hospitals, particularly in critical care units.
Calls for Reform
fire has sparked renewed calls for better fire safety standards, regular inspections, and improved infrastructure in public healthcare facilities. Advocacy groups and medical professionals emphasize the urgent need to prioritize safety in spaces where vulnerable patients, such as newborns, are treated.
As investigations continue, grieving families and a shocked nation await accountability and action to prevent such tragedies in the future.
