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Jhansi fire: A fire broke out in the infant ward of a medical college in Jhansi on Friday, claiming the lives of at least 10 newborn babies and injuring 16 others. The incident occurred between 10:30 pm and 10:45 pm, in which 37 infants were rescued from the hospital. The administration said that the primary reason behind the fire appears to be a short circuit inside the oxygen concentrator. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief on X by stating that the state government is making every possible effort for relief and rescue.  "...The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this tremendous loss. The local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making every possible effort for relief and rescue," he wrote. 

President Droupadi Murmu also paid her condolences to the dead children. "The news of the death of several newborn babies in the accident at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh is extremely heartbreaking. May God give strength to the bereaved parents and families to bear this cruel blow. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured newborns," Murmu wrote on X.

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath expressed his grief over the incident and sought a detailed report from the local administration. “The death of children in an accident that occurred in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to provide salvation to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured,” CM Yogi said in a post on X. 

Samajwadi party chief Akhilesh Yadav took X to criticise the state government over the incident. "The reason behind the incident is said to be a short circuit inside the oxygen concentrator. We demand strict action against the responsible individuals and urge the chief minister to set up a high-level inquiry into the matter. The health minister seems to have forgotten that he has a ministry to look over. We demand the government pay Rs 1 crore to each of the families who lost a child."

UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak arrived at Jhansi hospital and instructed the local administration to submit the report within 24 hours. He stated that a fire safety audit and a mock drill were done before, but a detailed report will answer why this incident happened.

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" In February, the fire safety audit was done. In June, a mock drill was also done. How this incident happened and why it happened, we can only say something about it once the probe report comes...7 bodies of the newborns have been identified, 3 bodies haven't been identified yet...financial support will be provided to the families of newborns," Pathak was quoted as saying by ANI. 

" Instructions have been given to probe the incident...local administration has been asked to submit the probe report within 24 hours. 10 newborns have died, 7 have been identified, 3 are yet to be identified, if required DNA test will be conducted...prima facie it appears to be a short circuit inside the oxygen concentrator...we will establish a helpline number for the missing newborns...I am monitoring the situation myself and we are with the affected families," he added. 


Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera also paid his condolences to the dead children. In a post on X, Khera said, "Praying for the safety of children affected by the fire in a hospital in Jhansi. Sad to hear about the death of several of them."

Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party leader and former member of parliament, blamed the hospital authority for the deaths of the children. He stated that a short circuit was overlooked and demanded a strong action against the responsible individuals. "It is being said that 10 newborns have died and around 40 are seriously injured...this is a very painful incident. This happened because of the carelessness of the medical college administration. It is being said that there was a short circuit in the afternoon as well but it was overlooked. Had it been taken seriously, this incident could have been avoided. There should be strict action against people who are responsible for this," Yadav was quoted as saying by ANI. 

ALSO READ: Jhansi Hospital Fire: What Led To Massive Blaze At Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College Killing 10 Children

Congress leader and former Union Minister Pradeep Jain Aditya pointed out that the children who sustained up to 40 per cent burn injuries could develop infections. " Many newborn babies died and many are fighting for their lives...biggest issue is that the children who sustained up to 40% burn injuries, they could develop infections...biggest goal is to save those children," Aditya was quoted as saying by ANI. 

BJP MLA Rajeev Singh Parichha said that the doctors were giving the best possible treatment to the injured newborns. " This is a very sad and unfortunate incident...10 newborns died in the fire, around 35 newborns were rescued...doctors are giving the best possible treatment to the injured newborns. Govt is in touch with medical college doctors..prima facie the cause of the fire appears to be short circuit," Parichha was quoted as saying by ANI.