Fire in Indian Hospital NICU Claims 11 Newborn Lives

A devastating fire at a Jhansi hospital exposes critical safety lapses, prompting a multi-level investigation.

The fire broke out in the neonatal intensive care unit at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, late Friday night.
Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit in an oxygen concentrator as the cause of the blaze, which spread rapidly due to the oxygen-rich environment.
Initial investigations revealed expired fire extinguishers and non-functional alarms, significantly delaying rescue operations.
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
A three-tier investigation has been launched, involving health department officials, police, and a magisterial inquiry, to determine accountability and prevent future incidents.