Jhansi Hospital Fire Kills 11 Newborns

A devastating fire at Jhansi's Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College's NICU resulted in the deaths of 11 newborns, primarily due to burns and suffocation. A short circuit in a switchboard ignited the fire, spreading rapidly due to the lack of sprinklers and potentially expired fire extinguishers, which failed to function properly during the emergency. Hospital staff and parents heroically attempted rescues, breaking windows to evacuate babies, but the fire's intensity and smoke hindered their efforts. The Uttar Pradesh government and the National Human Rights Commission have initiated investigations to determine the cause and address potential negligence, with preliminary reports confirming the fire as accidental. Criticism has been directed at the hospital for inadequate safety measures, as fire alarms did not activate, complicating evacuation efforts. The incident has drawn national attention, with state officials pledging support for affected families and promising accountability for any lapses in safety protocols.