MUMBAI: As many as ten infants died on Saturday after a massive fire broke out at a hospital in Maharashtra. The incident was reported from the Special Newborn Care Unit of a hospital in the Bhandara district of the state, at nearly 2 AM. According to a doctor’s statement, all infants were between a month and three months old. There were 17 babies in the unit and seven were rescued, he added.
The details stated the smoke from the neonatal section of the hospital was at first noticed by a nurse, who raised an alarm. Thereby, doctors and other staff at the hospital reached the spot in five minutes. Seven other babies were later rescued by the fire brigade personnel from the ‘inbound ward’ of the unit. However, ten infants could not be saved.
“The fire that broke out at around 2 AM claimed lives of 10 children. But we have been able to save lives of 7 children. Technical committee will investigate to ascertain the reason behind the fire,”said Sandip Kadam, District Collector, Bhandara.
Prima facie, the cause of the fire seems to be the result of an electrical short circuit.
Meanwhile, several leaders have condoled the death of the newborn babies and have also demanded a probe into the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, taking to Twitter, today said, “Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives. My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover as early as possible.”
Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives. My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover as early as possible.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 9, 2021
