Jhansi Hospital fire claims newborn lives, Rs 10 Lakh aid announced amidst blame shift

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A fierce blame game has erupted between the ruling BJP and the opposition following the tragic deaths of 10 newborns in a devastating fire at a hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. The fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, reportedly caused by a short circuit on Friday afternoon. The Samajwadi Party has accused the hospital administration of negligence, alleging that the short circuit was ignored despite being a clear safety hazard.

In response to the tragedy, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, requesting a detailed report by Saturday evening. The Chief Minister also announced financial compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each of the deceased newborns' families and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The fire, which started due to a short circuit in the oxygen concentrator, quickly spread through the oxygen-rich ward, turning it into a deadly blaze in a matter of seconds. At the time of the incident, 47 newborns were in the ward. The fire caused chaos, with many trying to escape the burning building. Some were seen climbing out of windows in a desperate bid to flee the flames. It took over two hours to control the fire, and the equipment in the ward was completely destroyed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the incident, calling it "heart-wrenching." He stated that local authorities, under the state government's supervision, were doing everything possible to provide relief.

Uttar Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak, who also oversees the health portfolio, confirmed that the fire appeared to have been caused by a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator. He added that seven of the deceased newborns had been identified, with the remaining three still unidentified. DNA tests may be conducted to confirm their identities if needed.

The Samajwadi Party criticized the state government’s handling of healthcare facilities, calling government hospitals a "den of misery, corruption, and negligence." In a sharp critique of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav urged him to focus on the state’s healthcare crisis rather than campaigning for elections in Maharashtra. The fire has left the community in shock, and the investigation into the causes of the tragedy continues.