A fire in a hospital in northern India claimed the lives of 10 newborns

Police officers stand guard during mourning protests after newborn babies died in a fire at a hospital in Jhansi on November 16, 2024. By AFP via Getty Images

AND A fire has engulfed the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in northern India, killing 10 newborns and injuring 16 others, authorities said.

A fire broke out on Friday evening in a hospital in the city of Jhansi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Officials said the fire quickly spread through the ward where 55 babies were being treated. Forty-five babies were rescued and are being treated, local official Bimal Kumar Dubey said.

An initial investigation points to lapses in safety protocols, including outdated fire extinguishers and malfunctioning fire alarms, which officials say delayed rescue efforts. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and the culprits.

Brajesh Pathak, the state’s deputy chief minister, visited the hospital and met the families on Saturday. He pledged government support to the families of the victims and promised a thorough investigation.

“We will identify those responsible for this tragedy and take strict measures. The government is supporting families in this difficult time,” he said.

He added that a DNA examination is currently being conducted, after which the bodies of the babies will be handed over to their families.

The fire quickly spread through the neonatal unit. When firefighters arrived, the ward was engulfed in flames and plumes of smoke. To reach the newborns, the rescuers had to break the windows. Witnesses say the rescue operation began about 30 minutes after the fire broke out, delaying evacuation efforts.

Praminder Singh Chandel, a paramedic at the hospital, said that since the ward was located on the first floor, firefighters managed to save several newborn babies. The ward was divided into two – one ward was closer to the hospital entrance. The babies who were there suffered the most from the fire, some died from severe burns.

Shocked and upset family members camped outside the hospital on Saturday, demanding answers about what they say were inadequate security measures.

Although a fire alarm was installed in the intensive care unit, parents and witnesses say it did not go off during the fire. Hospital staff only acted after seeing signs of smoke and fire.

“If the alarm had gone off, we could have acted faster and saved more lives,” said Naresh Kumar, a father who lost his child.

Akhtar Hussain, whose son was rescued and is being treated in a nearby ward, agreed that the tragedy could have been prevented if the hospital had better safety protocols.

Pathak, the state official, said the hospital’s fire safety systems were last tested in February, followed by a mock drill in June.

Fires are a common occurrence in India, where builders and residents often flout building codes and safety regulations. Poor maintenance and lack of adequate firefighting equipment in the country also leads to deaths.

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