Sat Nov 16 14:20:13 UTC 2024: ## Jhansi Hospital Fire Kills 10 Newborns; Expired Fire Extinguishers Found
**Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh:** A devastating fire at the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College’s NICU in Jhansi has claimed the lives of 10 newborns, sparking outrage and raising serious questions about the hospital’s negligence. The tragedy has left grieving families demanding DNA tests to identify their lost infants and alleging a delayed and inadequate response from the hospital staff.
The fire, which broke out late Thursday night, revealed shocking evidence of negligence: expired fire extinguishers dating back to 2020 and 2023 were found on the premises, highlighting a failure to maintain crucial safety equipment.
Witnesses recounted chaotic scenes, with distraught parents scrambling to save their children amid the flames. Kuldeep, a father whose baby remains missing, stated that he personally rescued four or five infants but could not locate his own child. He further alleged that a doctor responded with abusive language instead of providing assistance.
Another parent, Maya, echoed these concerns, stating that her grandchild, who was on a life support machine, is unaccounted for and hospital authorities have restricted access to the premises. Several other parents reported similar experiences, with a lack of information and communication from the hospital exacerbating their distress.
Ankit, whose seven-month-old nephew perished, called for DNA testing to ensure proper identification of the victims. While approximately 45 infants were rescued, the death toll currently stands at 10. The incident prompted an immediate response from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who pledged to investigate the matter thoroughly. The incident underscores a critical failure in safety protocols and highlights the need for a comprehensive review of hospital safety standards across the state.
First Piper 