At least 10 children were killed after a massive fire broke out at the pediatric ward of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi on Friday night. The incident occurred in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the hospital’s paediatric ward at around 10:30 PM. Nearly 15-20 children were feared injured in the fire. Upon learning about the incident, over a dozen fire brigade trucks rushed to the spot and doused the flames. Rescue operation in underway.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered condolences to the families whose children were killed in the hospital fire. The chief minister directed the district administration officials to provide the best treatment for the injured.
"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. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to provide salvation to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured," CM Yogi Adityanath said.
It is being said that more than 50 children admitted in the hospital's ward at the time of the incident. The injured children have been shifted to another ward at a nearby hospital for treatment.
Some people reportedly suffocated due to the huge fumes from the fire. A stampede-like situation happened in the ward as patients tried to run out of the hospital after the fire broke out.
According to preliminary information, the fire is said to have caused due to a short circuit.
After being informed about the accident, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance and directed the officials to immediately reach the spot and expedite the relief work. He has also directed immediate treatment of the injured.
Jhansi district's top officials, including the District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police and Inspector General of Police are present at the spot.