| Date | November 15, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | 10:30 p.m. (IST) |
| Venue | Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College |
| Location | Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Coordinates | 25°26′56″N 78°34′25″E / 25.4489°N 78.5737°E / 25.4489; 78.5737 |
| Cause | Electrical short circuit, possible matchstick ignition near oxygen cylinder |
| Outcome | 18 deaths, 8 injuries |
| Deaths | 18 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 8 |
| Inquiries | Investigation ordered by CM Yogi Adityanath |
On the night of November 15, 2024, a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 newborns and injuring 16 others, most of which later sucummbed to injuries. The incident occurred around 10:30 PM local time, as the hospital was treating an overcrowded ward with 55 infants, far exceeding its capacity of 18 beds.
Incident
Initial reports suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit within an oxygen concentrator. Eyewitness accounts indicate that a nurse allegedly lit a matchstick while handling an oxygen cylinder, igniting the highly flammable environment of the NICU.
The rapid spread of flames and smoke led to chaotic evacuation efforts, with emergency personnel reportedly arriving approximately 30 minutes after the fire started.
Background
Fires in hospitals are not an uncommon occurrence in India. In May 2024, a fire in a neonatal clinic in New Delhi killed seven newborns, while in 2011, a hospital fire in Kolkata claimed 93 lives.
According to a 2019 parliamentary report, India had only 3,377 fire stations, against the required 8,559, and a severely understaffed fire service with 55,000 personnel instead of the recommended 500,000. Similar deficits were seen in fire vehicles, with just 7,300 available out of the 33,000 needed.
Casualties
Out of the 55 infants present, 44 were successfully rescued, and in those16 newborns are succumbed to burns and suffocation. Also 10 babies 10 died in the fire, among them, seven have been identified, with efforts ongoing to identify the remaining three. The injured infants are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across Jhansi, with some in critical condition.
Response
Government
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident and ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. He announced financial aid of ₹5 lakh (approximately $6,000) for the families of each deceased infant and ₹50,000 for those injured. Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, who also holds a health portfolio in the government, visited the site and assured families of government support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Jhansi hospital fire incident as 'heartbreaking' and expressed his condolences to the victims' families.
Others
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed deep concern over the incident. He criticized Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, urging him to prioritize addressing the poor state of medical facilities over election campaigning. Yadav further stated that if the Yogi Adityanath-led government had strengthened the health infrastructure, the incident could have been averted.
Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi expressed grief over the tragic incident. In a post on X, he stated, "I am deeply saddened by the news of the death and injury of several newborn children in the tragic accident at Jhansi Medical College. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families." Gandhi further remarked, "Such tragic incidents happening repeatedly in Uttar Pradesh raise serious questions about the negligence of the government and administration." He also called for strict action against those responsible for the incident.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday condemned the fire. She called for immediate measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future. In a statement posted on X, she said, "I am devastated by the tragic incident at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, where ten newborns lost their lives in a fire in the NICU. We stand in solidarity with the affected families and demand accountability and immediate action to prevent such horrific accidents."
See also
References
- ^ Naqvi, Haider (November 16, 2024). "Jhansi hospital fire: 10 newborn babies killed, over 35 rescued; CM Yogi orders probe. What happened?". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Hospital fire kills 10 newborn babies in northern India". CNN. November 16, 2024. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- Mao, Frances (November 16, 2024). "Ten newborns killed in hospital fire in northern India". BBC News. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- De, Abhishek; Sharma, Santosh Kumar (November 16, 2024). "Nurse lit a matchstick and then...: Eyewitness recounts Jhansi hospital horror". India Today.
- "Jhansi hospital fire: 10 children die, 16 battle for life; U.P. Govt orders three-tier probe". The Hindu. November 16, 2024. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- ^ Raj, Suhasini; Das, Anupreeta; K.B., Pragati (November 16, 2024). "India Hospital Fire Kills 10 Newborn Babies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- Mashal, Mujib; K.B., Pragati; Kumar, Hari (May 26, 2024). "Two Deadly Fires in Rapid Succession Expose India's Gaps in Safety". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 1, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- "90 killed in Kolkata hospital fire". The Hindu. November 17, 2021. Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- Mitra, Chandrajit (November 16, 2024). "10 Newborns Killed In UP Hospital Fire, Parents Protest To Meet Survivors". NDTV. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
- Sinha, Vaishnawi (November 16, 2024). "PM Narendra Modi says Jhansi hospital fire 'heartbreaking'; CM Yogi announces ex gratia for victims". Hindustan Times.
- "Jhansi Hospital Fire: Akhilesh Yadav Gives THIS Advice To CM Yogi, Takes Dig At Brajesh Pathak". news.abplive.com. 2024-11-16. Archived from the original on 2024-11-16. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- "Jhansi hospital fire: CM Adityanath should leave election campaign and focus on poor condition of medical facilities, says Akhilesh Yadav". The Indian Express. 2024-11-16. Archived from the original on 2024-11-17. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- "'UP govt hiding actual death toll in Jhansi hospital fire': Akhilesh Yadav at HTLS". Hindustan Times. 16 November 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ ANI (2024-11-16). ""Devastated...": West Bengal CM Mamata demands immediate action in Jhansi hospital fire". thenewsmill.com. Retrieved 2024-11-16.