NEW DELHI: Parents and relatives of newborns have described scenes of chaos and desperation during the fire at the NICU of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, which claimed the lives of 10 infants. Many broke windows to enter the ward, grabbing any child they could in a frantic attempt to save lives, the parents said.
Late on Friday night, the fire engulfed the neonatal intensive care unit, which housed over 50 newborns. As flames consumed the ward, parents scrambled to save their children amidst conflicting instructions and a lack of clear communication from hospital authorities.
For Rani Sen, an aunt of one of the affected infants, the ordeal remains shrouded in confusion. “They told us to go in and take our children, but by then many had already died,” she told news agency ANI. She questioned the hospital’s identification process, demanding DNA tests to confirm her baby’s fate. “If the tags were burned or misplaced, how can they say which child is mine? I found a baby who wasn’t mine and admitted him under my name,” she said.
Another mother, Santoshi from Mahoba district, described the helplessness she felt during the incident. “I don’t know where my baby is. The fire broke out, and I couldn’t get inside to save him. No one could. Everyone was running in panic,” she told ANI, adding that the hospital had previously denied her access to her child.
A grieving grandmother shared how parents broke windows in a frantic effort to save the infants. “The nurses were pushing people out, but those who managed to get in grabbed any child they could,” she said.
Investigation underway
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a multi-level investigation to determine the cause of the fire. District Magistrate Avinash Kumar stated that a short circuit is the likely cause, though further probes are ongoing.
Deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak assured strict action against those found responsible, promising justice for the grieving families. “This is a tragic and unfortunate incident. We are conducting administrative, police, and magisterial inquiries to identify any lapses,” he said.
CM announces compensation of Rs 5 lakh
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ?50,000 for those injured. He instructed officials to expedite relief and rescue efforts, emphasising the need for proper treatment of the injured infants.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “heart-wrenching” and expressed his condolences, stating, “My deepest sympathies go to the families. May they find strength in this difficult time.”