President Murmu, PM Modi express condolences over deaths of newborns in Jhansi fire 

New Delhi, Nov 16: In a heart-wrenching incident at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, a fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) late last night, resulting in the deaths of 10 newborns and leaving at least 16 others critically injured.

The blaze, believed to have been sparked by a short-circuit in an oxygen concentrator, erupted around 10:45 pm, causing chaos and panic among patients and staff.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragic loss of innocent lives. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "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. The local administration, under the state government’s supervision, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue."

President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her sorrow, noting the immense pain of the bereaved families. "The news of the death of several newborn babies in this accident is extremely heartbreaking. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," she said.

Authorities, led by District Magistrate Avinash Kumar, confirmed to the media that 54 infants were in the NICU at the time of the incident. Swift action by hospital staff and emergency services helped rescue 44 newborns. Visuals from the s. cene depicted a harrowing situation, with distraught families gathered outside the hospital as fire personnel worked to contain the damage. Investigations are taking place.

Police reported that 16 children are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals. "All medical facilities and personnel are being utilised to ensure the best care for the injured," she said.

Despite a fire safety audit conducted in February and a mock drill held in June, questions are being raised about the hospital's preparedness. Reports have emerged indicating that the fire alarms may have malfunctioned during the incident, potentially due to poor maintenance of emergency systems.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed a rapid response, ordering senior officials and doctors to manage rescue operations on an urgent basis. He announced a financial aid package, with ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those seriously injured. Additionally, he requested a detailed report from the Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Inspector General of Jhansi within 12 hours.

The opposition, led by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, has criticized the state government for alleged negligence. Yadav called for accountability and enhanced compensation for the victims' families, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in healthcare facilities.