PM Modi Condoles Tragic Loss Of Newborn Lives In Jhansi Hospital Fire; Yogi Announces Ex Gratia For Victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning expressed his condolences over the tragic loss of lives in the devastating Jhansi hospital fire, which claimed the lives of 10 newborns in the children's ward.

The prime minister assured that the local administration, under the Uttar Pradesh government's supervision, was doing everything possible to provide relief and aid.

Photo Credit: PTI

At least 10 newborn babies succumbed to burns and suffocation following a fire that broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College late on Friday night.

Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, who visited Jhansi on Saturday morning, revealed that 49 children were in the ward at the time of the incident, despite it having a capacity of only 18 beds.

"The bodies of seven children have been identified, while three remain unidentified," he stated. "Efforts are underway to establish their identities and contact their families."

In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office shared PM Narendra Modi's statement: "Heartbreaking! The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss."

The prime minister further said: "The local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue."

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's Office announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased children and ₹50,000 for families of those injured, as directed by CM Yogi Adityanath.

"The Chief Minister has instructed the Divisional Commissioner and DIG of Jhansi to submit a report on the incident within 12 hours," the CMO's statement confirmed.

The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator, spread rapidly due to the oxygen-rich environment in the NICU.

Multi-level investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the fire and identify any negligence.

The Samajwadi Party has alleged that a short circuit in the machinery earlier on Friday afternoon had been overlooked by hospital authorities.