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A fire tore through a neonatal intensive care unit in a hospital in northern India, killing 10 newborn babies and injuring 16 others, authorities said.
The fire occurred late on Friday at a hospital in Jhansi city in India’s Uttar Pradesh state. Officials said the blaze spread quickly through the ward, where 55 infants were being treated. Forty-Five babies were rescued and are receiving medical care, said Bimal Kumar Dubey, a local official.
An initial investigation points to lapses in safety protocols, including expired fire extinguishers and non-functional fire alarms, which officials say delayed rescue efforts. Authorities are conducting a thorough probe to determine the cause of the fire and those responsible.
Brajesh Pathak, the deputy chief minister of the state, visited the hospital and met with families on Saturday. He pledged government support for the victims’ families and promised a thorough investigation.
“We will identify those responsible for this tragedy and take strict action. The government stands with families during this difficult time,” he said.
He added that DNA tests were being carried out after which the bodies of the babies will be handed over to their families.
The fire spread quickly through the neonatal ward. When the firefighters arrived, the ward was engulfed in flames and plumes of smoke. Rescuers had to break through windows to reach the newborn babies.