Fire at Jhansi Medical College kills 10 newborns, investigation underway

A devastating fire on the night of Nov 15 in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of at least 10 newborns due to suffocation and burns.

Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak arrived in Jhansi on the morning of Nov 16 where he said that 49 children were in the ward, which only has 18 beds.

According to him, the bodies of three children are still unidentified, while seven children have been identified. Pathak mentioned that efforts are underway to contact their families to confirm their identities.

He added that children who were injured in the fire have been admitted for treatment in the medical college’s emergency room and various private hospitals.

Prior to the fire, 47 children were admitted to the ward. According to Additional Director General of Police (Kanpur Zone) Alok Singh, 10 newborns lost their lives, while 37 were rescued.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragic deaths and assured that local authorities, under the supervision of the state government, were doing everything possible for rescue and relief operations.

"Heartbreaking! The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is devastating. My deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them strength to bear this immense loss," Modi said in a post on X.

"The local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue," he added.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has instructed the Jhansi divisional commissioner and deputy inspector general of police to conduct an investigation into the tragedy. Officials have been ordered to submit a report within 12 hours.

"The death of children in the NICU of Jhansi Medical College is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing," Yogi posted on X.

He also expressed his wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured children.

A magistrate’s investigation into the Jhansi tragedy has been ordered by the Uttar Pradesh government.

In the meantime, Yogi Adityanath announced that the families of the deceased children would receive ₹5 lakh each, and the families of the injured would receive ₹50,000 in compensation.

According to Brijesh Pathak, the state government will also cover the treatment expenses of four children currently being cared for in private hospitals.

Reports indicate that an electrical short circuit sparked the fire at Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, filling the ward with dense smoke.

District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar said that the fire, which started around 10:45 pm, was likely caused by an electrical short circuit. The oxygen-rich ward became a fire hazard, as oxygen is highly flammable, causing the fire to spread rapidly.

Fire engines rushed to the scene, and the army was called in to assist with firefighting efforts. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Witnesses described seeing smoke billowing from the NICU, causing panic among people nearby. Before any action could be taken, flames quickly spread throughout the ward.

Though evacuation efforts were attempted, the thick smoke and flames blocked the door, preventing a timely rescue. Firefighters arrived shortly after and successfully saved the remaining infants.

Jhansi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sudha Singh reported that 16 more children who suffered injuries in the fire were receiving medical treatment. At the time of the incident, more than 50 children were hospitalized in the NICU.

A couple from the neighboring district of Mahoba mourned the loss of their newborn. The mother said her child, born on Nov 13 at 8 am, was among those who died. "My child has been killed in a fire," she said, inconsolable.

Multiple police officers assisted with rescue and relief efforts, while alleged images from Jhansi Medical College showed terrified patients and staff being evacuated.

According to reports, 37 newborns were rescued from the fire.

“The medical college has informed us that 52 to 54 children were admitted to the NICU at the time of the incident. Ten children have died, 16 are undergoing treatment, and verification for the others is ongoing,” SSP said.

Around 1 am, she announced that the rescue operation in the NICU was complete.