Parents protest after fire kills 10 newborns, 16 children critical at Jhansi Hospital NICU

A devastating fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, late on Thursday night, resulting in the tragic loss of 10 newborns and leaving 16 children critically injured. The fire started around 10:45 pm, allegedly due to a short-circuit in an oxygen concentrator. At the time of the incident, 54 infants were being treated in the NICU. Rescue operations were launched immediately, and 44 newborns were safely evacuated from the building. The remaining 10 victims, however, could not survive the blaze. Authorities have confirmed that DNA tests will be conducted to identify the three unconfirmed victims.

The 16 surviving children, who suffered various degrees of burns and injuries, are receiving treatment at local hospitals in Jhansi. Senior Superintendent of Police Sudha Singh confirmed that doctors and medical personnel are working around the clock to save their lives. The children are being provided with specialized care, including respiratory support and burn treatment. Medical teams from other nearby hospitals have been alerted to provide assistance as necessary.

In the aftermath of the fire, chaos unfolded at the hospital as distraught parents of the injured children protested after being denied access to their children. The hospital administration stated that the restriction on meeting the children was to avoid confusion over the identities of the infants, as many were severely affected by smoke inhalation and burns. Parents were also prevented from staging a road blockade. While some families were reportedly informed of the tragic deaths of their children, others were still waiting for updates. Local authorities have been stationed at the hospital to manage the protests and maintain order.

The fire has raised significant concerns about hospital safety. While the Uttar Pradesh government stated that a fire safety audit had been conducted in February and a mock fire drill took place in June, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. A multi-tiered probe has been initiated: one by the health department, another by local police, and a magisterial inquiry. Preliminary reports suggest that the hospital's fire safety systems were in place, but questions remain about their effectiveness in the face of such a disaster.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered senior officials and doctors to oversee the rescue operations and ensure the safety of the injured children. He announced immediate financial aid, offering ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those seriously injured. In addition, the state government has pledged to cover all medical expenses for the survivors. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have both expressed their condolences. PM Modi also announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, offering ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured child.