Jhansi Hospital Fire: PM Modi 'Anguished' Over Infant Deaths, UP Govt Promises Action Against Guilty

A fire in the NICU of Jhansi's Maharani Laxmibai Medical College claimed the lives of 10 newborns. Prime Minister Modi and other officials expressed grief and condolences.

UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak inspects the site of the blaze,

Source : X@brajeshpathakup

Jhansi Hospital Child Ward Fire: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep anguish over the Jhansi hospital fire that claimed the lives of 10 infants on Friday. In an X post, PM Modi said: "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."

हृदयविदारक! उत्तर प्रदेश में झांसी के मेडिकल कॉलेज में आग लगने से हुआ हादसा मन को व्यथित करने वाला है। इसमें जिन्होंने अपने मासूम बच्चों को खो दिया है, उनके प्रति मेरी गहरी शोक-संवेदनाएं। ईश्वर से प्रार्थना है कि उन्हें इस अपार दुख को सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करे। राज्य सरकार की…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 16, 2024

The 10 newborn babies were confirmed dead in the fire that broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College. Authorities managed to rescue 47 infants.

How The Casualties Occurred

Jhansi Chief Medical Superintendent Sachin Mahor said 54 children were admitted to the NICU ward of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College. Suddenly the fire broke out and spread rapidly. Most of the children were on oxygen support and the rapid spread of the fire prevented a full rescue. The incident occurred around 5.30 PM.

UP Govt Assures Action 

After the accident, Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak inspected Jhansi Medical College on Saturday (16 November) morning and ordered an inquiry into the incident. The Deputy CM said action would be taken against those found guilty of negligence. An investigation is underway into the reasons behind the incident. "A high-level inquiry will be conducted into this incident and if any negligence is found at any level, action will be taken against it," he said.

आज झांसी के महारानी लक्ष्मीबाई मेडिकल कॉलेज के नवजात शिशु गहन चिकित्सा कक्ष (एसएनसीयू वार्ड) में अग्निकाण्ड की हुई दुर्भाग्यपूर्ण दुर्घटना का स्थलीय निरीक्षण कर अधिकारियों को आवश्यक दिशा निर्देश देते हुए। इस दौरान प्रमुख सचिव, चिकित्सा एवं स्वास्थ्य श्री पार्थसारथी सेन शर्मा जी… pic.twitter.com/DcIz1HQBbF

— Brajesh Pathak (@brajeshpathakup) November 16, 2024

CM Yogi Expresses Grief Over Jhansi Tragedy

CM Yogi Adityanath wrote on X after receiving information about this incident, "The death of children in an accident that occurred in the NICU of the Medical College located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. Instructions have been given to the district administration and concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I pray to Lord Shri Ram that the departed souls may attain salvation and the injured may recover soon."

जनपद झांसी स्थित मेडिकल कॉलेज के NICU में घटित एक दुर्घटना में हुई बच्चों की मृत्यु अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदयविदारक है।

जिला प्रशासन तथा संबंधित अधिकारियों को युद्ध स्तर पर राहत एवं बचाव कार्यों को संचालित कराने के निर्देश दिए हैं।

प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत आत्माओं…

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) November 15, 2024

Regarding this incident, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya wrote in an X post, "The news of the death of many infants in an accident due to a short circuit in the children's ward of the Medical College located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant speedy recovery to the injured infants in the accident and grant the departed souls a place in his holy feet. Om Shanti."

जनपद झांसी स्थित मेडिकल कॉलेज के शिशु वार्ड (एसएनसीयू) में शॉर्टसर्किट से आग लगने की दुर्घटना में कई शिशुओं के निधन की सूचना अत्यंत दुःखद एवं हृदयविदारक है।

प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है हादसे में घायल शिशुओं को जल्द से जल्द स्वास्थ्य लाभ प्रदान करें और दिवंगत आत्माओं को अपने…

— Keshav Prasad Maurya (@kpmaurya1) November 15, 2024

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, too, expressed grief and said: "I am deeply saddened to learn about the death of children in the accident that took place at the medical college in Jhansi."

झांसी (उत्तर प्रदेश) के मेडिकल कॉलेज में हुई दुर्घटना में बच्चों की मृत्यु के बारे में जानकर अत्यंत दुख पहुंचा है। मैं उनके परिजनों के प्रति अपनी संवेदनाएं प्रकट करता हूं, साथ ही जो बच्चे घायल हैं मैं उनके शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की ईश्वर से कामना करता हूं।

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) November 16, 2024