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."
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.
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."
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."
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."