A devastating fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the tragic deaths of ten newborns and leaving 16 others injured. The incident occurred on Friday evening, with around 50 infants present in the unit. The fire was attributed to an electrical short circuit, which ignited in an oxygen-enriched environment. Despite a recent safety audit and fire drill, the hospital's fire alarms failed, delaying the evacuation and causing widespread panic.
This heartbreaking event has drawn significant attention, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressing their deep condolences. Both leaders have promised compensation to the affected families. An investigation into the incident has been launched, aiming to uncover the reasons behind the fire alarm failure and to hold those responsible accountable.
The tragedy echoes a similar incident that occurred six months prior at a children's hospital in Delhi, where another fire claimed the lives of six newborns. These repeated occurrences highlight a dire need for improved safety measures in medical facilities across India. The nation mourns the loss of these young lives, and there is a collective call for stringent actions to prevent such incidents in the future.
