A fire in the city of Jhansi engulfed the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital, killing 10 newborn babies and injuring 16.
The fire broke out late at night at the hospital in northern India. The fire quickly spread to the ward where 55 newborn babies were staying, but it remains unclear what exactly caused the outbreak of the fire. The ward was engulfed in flames and puffs of smoke and rescuers had to break out windows to reach the newborns.
Eyewitnesses said the rescue operation began about 30 minutes after the fire started, which delayed evacuation. In addition, the issue of safety surfaced when the fire alarm in the intensive care unit did not go off during the fire, although it was installed. Hospital staff only responded after seeing signs of smoke and fire.
Officials said forty-five newborns were rescued and are receiving medical attention.
Fires are quite common in India as building laws and safety codes are often violated by builders and residents. Poor maintenance and lack of proper firefighting equipment in the country also leads to fatalities. Earlier this year, six newborn babies died in a fire at a children’s hospital in New Delhi. Three years ago, a fire at a hospital in the western state of Maharashtra killed 10 newborns.
We will identify those responsible for this tragedy and take strict action. The government stands with families during this difficult time, said Brajesh Pathak, the deputy chief minister of the state, after visiting the hospital and meeting the families.
