Fire at Jhansi Hospital Kills 10 Newborns

A tragic fire at the Maharani Lakshmibai Medical College's neonatal unit in Jhansi, India, has resulted in the deaths of ten newborns, with another 16 in critical condition. The blaze, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator, broke out around 10:30 pm on Friday, overwhelming the unit which was treating 54 infants despite a capacity of only 18 beds. Authorities have highlighted severe safety lapses, including expired fire extinguishers and overcrowding, prompting a high-level investigation into the incident. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has assured that a thorough probe will be conducted, and strict action will be taken if any negligence is found. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, calling the incident heart-wrenching. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic rescue efforts, with medical staff risking their lives to save as many infants as possible.