Jhansi hospital fire: 10 children die, 16 battle for life; U.P. Govt orders three-tier probe

U.P. Govt announces financial assistance of ₹5 lakh for parents of deceased; PM Modi announces ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased

“At least 10 newborn babies were killed, 16 others were injured and at least 37 others were rescued after a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi on Friday night (November 15, 2024,)“ officials said. 

The Uttar Pradesh Government issued instructions for a three-tier investigation into the fire accident. “The Divisional Commissioner of Jhansi and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jhansi have been issued instructions to investigate the fire incident and submit a report within 24 hours. The Fire Department will also investigate. Along with this, instructions have also been given for a magisterial inquiry into the incident that occurred in the NICU Ward of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College, Jhansi,” reads a statement from the State Government.

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A special panel of six doctors is also formed to investigate the death of newborn babies. A heavy police force led by SP City, Jhansi, has been deployed outside the post-mortem house for the post-mortem of the deceased.

The fire, likely to be owing to a short circuit, broke out at around 10:30 p.m. in NICU of the college and hospital staff were forced to evacuate the patients by breaking the windows of the ward filled with smoke before fire brigade officials reached the spot.

“The fire broke out at around 10.35 p.m. The fire broke out in one of the two units of the children’s ward likely because of a short circuit. A total of 37 children have been rescued. A committee has been formed to probe the cause of the incident. According to information, 10 children were killed in the accident,” Avinash Kumar, District Magistrate of Jhansi, said.

PM Modi condoles loss of lives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced compensation for the kind of the deceased. “Heartbreaking. The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heart wrenching. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss. The local administration, under the supervision of the State Government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue,” said Mr. Modi on X. 

PM Narendra Modi has also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of relatives of each deceased in the fire accident. The injured would be given ₹50,000, said a statement from the PMO. 

President Droupadi Murmu expresses her condolences

President Droupadi Murmu too expressed her condolences, describing the tragedy as “heartbreaking.” In a post on X, she said, “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.”

More than 50 children in NICU

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 (November 15, 2024) 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.

A fire brigade was rushed to the spot while senior officers of the district also reached the medical college, Jhansi police said in a brief statement on social media.

A couple hailing from nearby Mahoba district grieved the demise of their newborn child. The mother told reporters that the child was born on November 13 at 8 am. “My child has been killed in fire,” the inconsolable mother told reporters.

Purported visuals from the medical college showed panic-struck patients and their caretakers being evacuated, even as several police personnel aided rescue and relief measures.

CM Yogi Adityanath reviews

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 Uttar Pradesh Government announced a financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each to the parents of the deceased,” an official said.

“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.

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. The state’s principal secretary of health was accompanying Pathak on the directions of Adityanath, an official statement said.

Mr. Adityanath directed Divisional Commissioner Bimal Kumar Dubey and Deputy Inspector General (Jhansi police range) Kalanidhi Naithani to submit a report on the matter within 12 hours, the statement added.

“I am extremely pained by this incident,” Jhansi Lok Sabha MP Anurag Sharma told a news channel, adding that he was out of station at the moment. Sadar MLA Ravi Sharma also reached the hospital shortly after the incident.

In the early hours of Saturday (November 16, 2024), SSP Sudha Singh told reporters that the 16 injured children are being treated and efforts are underway to save their lives. All the doctors are available for them, along with adequate medical facilities, she said.

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,” Mr. Singh said.

The district police chief said while 10 children died and others were either rescued or found injured, there were also inputs that some parents took their kids home after the fire erupted in the NICU.

She said the police were making efforts to verify the tally of the children who were in the NICU and their current status.

“The medical college has informed that 52 to 54 children were admitted at the time of the incident. 10 of them have died, 16 are undergoing treatment while verification for others is ongoing,” Mr. Singh said. The rescue operation in the NICU has been completed, she said around 1 am.

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak dismissed media reports that the Jhansi Medical College had expired fire extinguishers.

In a statement, Mr. Pathak said a fire safety audit was carried out at the medical college in February and a mock drill was conducted in June.

The State-run medical college started services in 1968 and is one of the largest government hospitals in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published - November 16, 2024 12:53 am IST