2024 Jhansi hospital fire: Difference between revisions
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The rapid spread of flames and smoke led to chaotic evacuation efforts, with emergency personnel reportedly arriving approximately 30 minutes after the fire started.<ref name=cnn/> |
The rapid spread of flames and smoke led to chaotic evacuation efforts, with emergency personnel reportedly arriving approximately 30 minutes after the fire started.<ref name=cnn/> |
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== Background == |
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In May 2024, a fire in a neonatal clinic in [[New Delhi]] killed seven newborns<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mashal |first1=Mujib |last2=K.B. |first2=Pragati |last3=Kumar |first3=Hari |title=Two Deadly Fires in Rapid Succession Expose India’s Gaps in Safety |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/26/world/asia/india-fire-death-infants-safety.html |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 26, 2024}}</ref>, while in 2011, a hospital fire in Kolkata claimed 93 lives.<ref>{{cite news |title=90 killed in Kolkata hospital fire |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/90-killed-in-kolkata-hospital-fire/article2700650.ece |publisher=[[The Hindu]] |date=November 17, 2021}}</ref> |
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== Casualties == |
== Casualties == |
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Revision as of 13:38, 16 November 2024
On the night of November 15, 2024, a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 newborns and injuring 16 others. The incident occurred around 10:30 PM local time, as the hospital was treating an overcrowded ward with 55 infants, far exceeding its capacity of 18 beds.[1][2][3]
Incident
Initial reports suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit within an oxygen concentrator. Eyewitness accounts indicate that a nurse allegedly lit a matchstick while handling an oxygen cylinder, igniting the highly flammable environment of the NICU.[4][5]
The rapid spread of flames and smoke led to chaotic evacuation efforts, with emergency personnel reportedly arriving approximately 30 minutes after the fire started.[2]
Background
In May 2024, a fire in a neonatal clinic in New Delhi killed seven newborns[6], while in 2011, a hospital fire in Kolkata claimed 93 lives.[7]
Casualties
Out of the 55 infants present, 37 were successfully rescued, while 10 newborns succumbed to burns and suffocation. Among the deceased, seven have been identified, with efforts ongoing to identify the remaining three.[1] The injured infants are currently receiving treatment in various hospitals across Jhansi, with some in critical condition.[2]
Response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed deep sorrow over the incident and ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. He has directed officials to submit a report within 12 hours and announced financial aid of ₹5 lakh (approximately $6,000) for the families of each deceased infant and ₹50,000 for those injured.[1] Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, who also holds health portfolio in the government, visited the site and assured families of government support during this tragic time.[8] Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Jhansi hospital fire incident as 'heartbreaking' and expressed his condolences to the victims' families.[9]
References
- ^ a b c Naqvi, Haider (November 16, 2024). "Jhansi hospital fire: 10 newborn babies killed, over 35 rescued; CM Yogi orders probe. What happened?". Hindustan Times.
- ^ a b c "Hospital fire kills 10 newborn babies in northern India". CNN. November 16, 2024.
- ^ Mao, Frances (November 16, 2024). "Ten newborns killed in hospital fire in northern India". BBC News.
- ^ De, Abhishek; Sharma, Santosh Kumar (November 16, 2024). "Nurse lit a matchstick and then...: Eyewitness recounts Jhansi hospital horror". India Today.
- ^ "Jhansi hospital fire: 10 children die, 16 battle for life; U.P. Govt orders three-tier probe". The Hindu. November 16, 2024.
- ^ Mashal, Mujib; K.B., Pragati; Kumar, Hari (May 26, 2024). "Two Deadly Fires in Rapid Succession Expose India's Gaps in Safety". The New York Times.
- ^ "90 killed in Kolkata hospital fire". The Hindu. November 17, 2021.
- ^ Mitra, Chandrajit (November 16, 2024). "10 Newborns Killed In UP Hospital Fire, Parents Protest To Meet Survivors". NDTV.
- ^ Sinha, Vaishnawi (November 16, 2024). "PM Narendra Modi says Jhansi hospital fire 'heartbreaking'; CM Yogi announces ex gratia for victims". Hindustan Times.