Sun Nov 17 11:09:15 UTC 2024: **Jhansi Hospital Fire Death Toll Rises to 11; Investigation Committee Changed**
JHANSI, INDIA – The death toll from Friday night’s fire at the Maharani Lakshmibai Government Medical College’s Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) has risen to 11. A newborn rescued from the blaze succumbed to its injuries, though the District Magistrate, Avinash Kumar, attributed the death to illness, not burns.
The incident, which claimed the lives of ten infants initially, resulted in severe burns to the victims. Post-mortem examinations revealed that the babies suffered over 80% burns. DNA samples have been collected. Seven of the eight initially missing infants have been located; one remains unaccounted for.
The fire, believed to have started from a sparking oxygen concentrator, quickly engulfed the ward. An expired fire extinguisher hampered initial efforts to contain the blaze. Fire crews and the army were deployed to bring the fire under control after approximately two hours. Thirty-nine infants were rescued.
The investigation into the incident has taken an unexpected turn. The government replaced the initial inquiry committee headed by Jhansi’s Divisional Commissioner, Vimal Kumar Dubey, with a new committee led by the Director General of Medical and Health, Kinjal Singh. The reason for the change remains unclear. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has ordered a three-tiered investigation to determine responsibility for the tragedy. The initial 12-hour deadline for the first report has been rendered void due to the committee change.
First Piper 