At least 10 infants died when a fire broke out in a neonatal intensive care unit in Jhansi, northern India, a state government official said today.
“Ten children unfortunately passed away,” the state government’s second-in-command in Uttar Pradesh, Brajesh Patak, told reporters. Seven of the victims “have been identified” and three more remain to be identified, he added.
At least 16 children are fighting for their lives, out of 44 rescued by hospital officials. A short circuit inside the oxygen concentrator probably caused the fire, Deputy Chief Minister Mrajesh Patak said.
It is speculated that fire alarms at the hospital did not work, with sources citing a lack of maintenance of emergency systems.
The government has announced financial assistance for their families.
