Ten children died in a disastrous incident at Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi Hospital
Jhansi, UP: On Saturday, a terrible fire broke out in a pediatric ward of a government hospital in Jhansi, killing 10 children. The tragedy, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, shocked the local community and sparked major questions about hospital safety protocols.* Authorities claimed that the fire broke out around 2 a.m. in the hospital’s neonatal section, where many newborns were being cared for. According to eyewitnesses, the flames spread quickly and engulfed the unit before rescue services arrived. The hospital personnel and first responders worked diligently to remove patients, but the fire’s severity slowed rescue operations.
A fire broke out in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) at the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, presumably due to a short circuit. Doctors and medical professionals were spotted removing patients by smashing the windows of the smoke-filled hospital before fire authorities arrived.
“According to the workers present in the ward, the fire broke out at about 10.35 p.m. Thirty-seven children have been successfully rescued. The fire began in one of the children’s ward’s two units, most likely due to a short circuit. The children in the NICU’s outside area were saved, as were some of those on the inside. We’ve organized a committee to look into the cause of the fire.
At the time of the tragedy, 54 children had been admitted to the NICU, 44 of whom could be rescued. Brajesh Pathak, Uttar Pradesh’s deputy chief minister and minister of medical education, said seven of the ten victims had been identified.
Outside the medical college, images revealed panicked patients and caregivers, although many police officers assisted with rescue and relief efforts. Several burnt pieces of medical equipment were discovered within the afflicted ward.
Heartbreaking footage showed families sobbing for the youngsters who perished in the disaster. “My baby has burnt to death,” cried a distraught mother who had lost her child.
“We are conducting a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.” The state government has issued an ex gratia payout to the relatives of the deceased and has pledged a thorough investigation into the hospital’s fire safety procedures. Local officials have also requested checks of other regional healthcare institutions to verify they meet safety requirements. As the community mourns the loss of young lives, parents and advocates are pushing for more responsibility and stronger safety measures within hospitals.
“No family should have to endure this kind of loss,” said Anjali Verma, a local activist.”We demand answers and action to ensure our children are safe in these facilities.” The incident has drawn considerable media attention and heightened awareness of the need for fire safety in hospitals, particularly in wards carrying delicate patients. As families grieve, attention has shifted to the inquiry and the critical need for reform in healthcare safety standards across the state. As the inquiry proceeds, Jhansi stands together in commemoration of the innocent lives lost, hoping that such a tragedy never happens again.
