Devastating Fire at Jhansi Medical College NICU Claims Lives of 10

A devastating fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College late Friday night, resulting in the loss of at least 10 newborns’ lives and the injury of 16 others. Over 50 children were in the NICU at the time of the blaze, which is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit, according to officials.

The fire erupted around 10:30 p.m., filling the ward with smoke and forcing the hospital staff to break windows to evacuate the patients before the fire brigade arrived. It was confirmed by District Magistrate Avinash Kumar that 37 children were rescued. Divisional Commissioner Bimal Kumar Dubey stated that most of the children in the interior section of the NICU were also saved.

Evacuation efforts were reportedly delayed due to expired fire extinguishers and malfunctioning safety alarms, raising questions about the preparedness of the hospital. A three-tier investigation has been ordered, which includes a magisterial inquiry, a fire department probe, and a review by a six-doctor panel.

Grief was expressed over the tragedy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. A compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured was announced by PM Modi, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pledged ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased.

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who oversees the health portfolio, visited the hospital, calling the incident “heartbreaking.” Immediate care for the injured was directed to be provided by the administration, and a report has been requested to be submitted within 12 hours.

Scenes of panic were described by witnesses as patients and caretakers scrambled to evacuate. Efforts are ongoing to confirm the status of all children in the NICU, as some parents reportedly took their children home after the fire.

Public outrage has been sparked by the incident, with calls for accountability over safety lapses in the hospital, which is considered a key healthcare center in the Bundelkhand region.