GUWAHATI: A fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, late on November 15 night, claiming the lives of at least 10 newborn babies.
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The blaze engulfed the ward, where 49 infants were being cared for at the time.
As per reports, emergency responders were able to rescue 38 infants from the fire, but 10 babies, unfortunately, died from burns and suffocation. The cause of the fire remains unclear, and authorities have launched an investigation.
“Seventeen of the injured are receiving treatment in various medical facilities, including private hospitals,” UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said in a statement on November 16.
Seven of the deceased infants have been identified, and efforts are ongoing to confirm the identities of the remaining three victims.
One infant is still missing, though the search is continuing, media reports stated. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a thorough inquiry into the fire and its causes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on the tragic event, calling it “heart-wrenching.” On the X platform, he wrote, “My deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss.”