NEW DELHI: A massive fire broke out late Friday night in the neonatal ward (SNCU) of Rani Lakshmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi, leading to the tragic deaths of 10 newborns due to burns and suffocation. The incident, which occurred around 10:30 pm, caused widespread panic among staff and families.
Officials, including the District Magistrate and senior administrative authorities, rushed to the scene.
“A committee has been formed under Jhansi divisional commissioner to probe the incident. It will submit a report to the CM,” DM Jhansi Avinash Kumar said.
Six fire brigade units and an Army firefighting vehicle were deployed to douse the flames. So far, 37 infants have been rescued safely, while over 50 are feared trapped. The ward was filled with thick smoke, exacerbating rescue challenges.
Initial reports suggest a cylinder blast as the cause of the fire. The hospital’s electricity supply was cut as a precaution. Shockingly, the safety alarm failed to activate, potentially delaying evacuation efforts.
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the incident, ordering rescue operations and an inquiry. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak and senior health officials are en route to Jhansi. A team of specialists from Kanpur has also been dispatched.
The tragedy has left the Bundelkhand region in shock, as the hospital is a key center for deliveries and neonatal care. Grieving families crowded the site, while police forces were deployed to maintain order.
