New Delhi: A fire at a Uttar Pradesh government-run hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit led to the deaths of ten newborn babies on the night of November 15.
The incident took place at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi.
Dozens of children were rescued as seven fire tenders got to work, say reports. The fire led to a rush and a stampede-like situation.
Indian Express has reported that the NICU has two sections – the outer unit for babies who were in a stable condition and the inner unit for those in a critical condition. The fire is suspected to have originated in the inner unit and was possibly caused by a short circuit.
India Today has reported that expired fire extinguishers were found at the NICU, and the safety alarms did not go off, delaying evacuation.
The Prime Minister’s Office has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased child. The injured will be given Rs. 50,000.
