A fire at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Hospital in Jhansi, India, led to the heartbreaking deaths of ten newborns.
At a Glance
- A fire in the hospital’s NICU killed ten newborns.
- The cause is suspected to be a short circuit or electrical fault.
- Sixteen other newborns were injured and relocated to various hospitals.
- Authorities are investigating lapses in safety protocols.
The Tragic Event
A devastating fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, India, claiming the lives of ten newborns. The incident occurred late Friday night around 10:30 p.m. The fire is suspected to have been sparked by a short circuit or electrical fault. Six fire brigades quickly contained the blaze, bringing it under control by approximately 12:30 a.m. Rescue operations involved shattering windows to reach the trapped infants.
Initial investigations suggest significant safety protocol lapses at the facility. These include expired fire extinguishers and non-functional fire alarms. Images depicting the tragedy and grieving families were widely circulated on social media, further intensifying public scrutiny over fire safety standards in Indian hospitals.
#Jhansi | A fire ripped through the NICU of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, resulting in the tragic deaths of 10 infants.
Parents described scenes of chaos and desperation as they frantically tried to save their children amidst the blaze.
Read here 🔗… pic.twitter.com/Z7apvmejtG
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) November 16, 2024
Behind the Failures
The NICU housed 54 children, of which 16 sustained minor injuries and were transferred to other hospitals, while 28 were unharmed. Delayed alarm activation hampered timely response efforts. Jhansi District Magistrate Avinash Kumar noted that the fire’s probable cause was a short circuit in the NICU, while unconfirmed reports mention a cylinder blast possibly exacerbating the fire.
The hospital’s safety systems last underwent inspection in February, with a subsequent mock drill exercise in June. Despite these measures, the absence of functional alarms stalled rescue operations. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath supervised the rescue efforts, demanding an incident report within 12 hours of the tragedy.
Public Reaction and Future Steps
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences, describing the incident as “heartbreaking” and tragic beyond words. Families demand accountability, attributing the calamity to negligence and systemic failures in India’s hospital fire safety. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak assured thorough investigation and punitive action against those responsible.
Though building codes and safety systems are mandated, consistent failure to adhere to fire safety protocols in India remains widespread. The tragedy at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College underscores a critical need for stricter enforcement and regular inspections to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Sources
- Fire engulfs a hospital ward in northern India, killing 10 newborn babies
- 10 Newborns Killed in Fire at Hospital’s NICU
- 10 newborns die as fire breaks out out at Jhansi hospital
- India Hospital Fire Kills 10 Newborn Babies
