Jhansi: In the Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh, a fire destroyed a medical college’s children’s ward, killing at least ten children and leaving sixteen more critically wounded. On Friday evening, a fire broke out at the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College of Jhansi’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). One of the biggest government hospitals in Uttar Pradesh’s Bundelkhand area, the state-run medical institution began providing services in 1968.
According to Jhansi police, senior district authorities arrived at the medical college, and a fire department was sent to the scene. Along with some of the infants in the internal section of the NICU, the children in the outside section were also saved. Additionally, the Uttar Pradesh government has requested a three-level investigation into the occurrence.
While many police officers assisted with rescue and relief efforts, said images from the medical college showed terrified patients and their caregivers being evacuated.
What Started the Jhansi Hospital Fire?
Reporters were informed by District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar that the fire at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) started at around 10.45 p.m. on Friday, most likely as a result of an electrical short circuit.
Along with some of the infants in the internal section of the NICU, the children in the outside section were also saved. “Prima facie, there is information of the deaths of 10 children,” stated the deputy mayor. According to Kumar, the more serious patients are housed in the core of the NICU, while the less critical patients are admitted to the outside area.
Jhansi Sudha Singh, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), said on Saturday that 16 more children who were hurt during the incident were receiving medical attention. When the event occurred, more than fifty children had been taken to the NICU.
CM Requests a Probe
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh took notice of the occurrence, launched an investigation into it, and instructed district administration authorities to provide the wounded with the care they needed.
“It is really sad and upsetting that children died in an accident that happened in the NICU of the medical college in the Jhansi area. He wrote in Hindi on X, “The district administration and relevant officials have been directed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing.”
He also hoped that the afflicted would heal quickly.
Brajesh Pathak, the deputy chief minister in charge of health, paid a visit to the hospital. “The administration has taken the matter very seriously, and it is a really tragic situation. The loss of ten children is heartbreaking. To identify the victims, we are collaborating closely with the families,” the Deputy CM said.
“The health department will conduct the first stage of the probe, followed by the district administration and police, and finally a magistrate’s inquiry. The most crucial thing is to comprehend how this catastrophe happened. “We support the kids and their families,” Pathak said.