Sat Nov 16 12:38:02 UTC 2024: **Jhansi Hospital Fire Kills 10 Infants, Echoes Gorakhpur Tragedy**
JHANSI, INDIA – A devastating fire at the Rani Lakshmibai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, has claimed the lives of 10 infants. The blaze, which broke out in the neonatal ward, has ignited outrage and drawn parallels to the 2017 Gorakhpur hospital tragedy where over 50 children died due to oxygen shortages.
Forty-nine infants were in the ward at the time of the fire. While 39 were rescued, 10 succumbed to their injuries. Reports suggest that fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, malfunctioned, raising concerns about negligence. Sixteen children sustained injuries and are receiving treatment.
The incident has resurrected painful memories of the Gorakhpur BRD Medical College tragedy, where an oxygen shortage led to numerous deaths. That incident sparked widespread outrage and legal battles, with Dr. Kafeel Khan, the then head of the encephalitis ward, initially charged but later acquitted.
Opposition leader Akhilesh Yadav has criticized the BJP government, stating that such incidents represent a grave failure in healthcare. Investigations into the Jhansi fire are underway to determine the exact cause and ascertain the extent of negligence.
First Piper 