Fire at Jhansi Hospital Kills 10 Newborns

A tragic fire at the neonatal intensive care unit of Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, claimed the lives of 10 newborns and injured 16 others. The blaze, reportedly sparked by a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator, rapidly spread through the ward where 55 infants were being treated. Eyewitnesses recounted a delayed rescue operation, which began approximately 30 minutes after the fire erupted, leading to questions about the hospital's safety measures, including non-functioning fire alarms. In response to the disaster, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the event as 'heart-wrenching' and assured that relief efforts are in place, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath pledged financial assistance to the victims' families. Political leaders have called for accountability and a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The tragedy underscores ongoing concerns regarding fire safety protocols in Indian hospitals, where such incidents are not uncommon due to lax regulations and poor infrastructure.