Sun Nov 17 11:09:15 UTC 2024: ## Jhansi Hospital Fire Kills 10 Infants, Sparks Outrage
**Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, November 17, 2024** – A devastating fire ripped through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi on Friday night, claiming the lives of at least 10 infants. Sixteen other infants sustained critical injuries and are currently hospitalized, while one remains missing.
The fire broke out swiftly, fueled by the high oxygen concentration necessary for the infants’ breathing, according to hospital staff. Brave nurses, along with visitors like Kripal Singh, who rushed into the burning building to rescue as many babies as possible, helped save several lives. Mr. Singh’s own grandchild was among those rescued. Other witnesses described chaotic scenes, with panicked parents and medical staff struggling amidst intense heat and smoke.
The tragedy sparked immediate outrage, particularly after reports surfaced of the hospital premises being hastily cleaned and sprinkled with lime in anticipation of a visit by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak. Parents of the deceased and injured children staged protests demanding DNA tests to ensure proper identification of their children. While the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sudhakar Pandey, confirmed all 10 deceased infants had been identified and their bodies released to families after post-mortem examinations, the missing infant remains a cause for concern. Dr. Pandey suggested the family may have taken the child home prior to the incident.
The incident has highlighted concerns about fire safety protocols in government-run hospitals. Investigations into the cause of the fire are underway. The incident has left the community devastated, with families grappling with the loss of their newborns and the ongoing trauma for the surviving children.
First Piper 