Maharashtra: Fire breaks out in Bhandara hospital killing 10 infants

MUMBAI: A massive fire broke out at around 2 am at the New-born Care Unit of Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra killing 10 infants while seven other infants were rescued.

The cause of the fire was not known immediately but the hospital administration said an electric short-circuit could have been the reason.

According to media reports, Civil Surgeon of Bhandara District General Hospital Dr Pramod Khandate, informed that 17 children were admitted to the Sick New-born Care Unit.

In the wee hours of Saturday, a nurse noticed smoke emanating from this ward and alerted the doctors. The hospital staff tried their best to save the children but managed to save only seven of them.

"Most new-borns died due to suffocation. One baby had fatal burn injuries, and two others had minor burn injuries. The rest inhaled a lot of smoke," said Dr Pramod.

Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray has also ordered a probe into the matter.

In a tweet, President Ram Nath Kovind said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of 10 infants in Maharashtra’s Bhandara. I express my heartfelt condolences to the parents who have lost their children in this heart wrenching tragedy.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted and expressed his sorrow over the loss of precious lives.

"Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives. My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover as early as possible," he tweed.

"The unfortunate incident of fire at Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra is extremely tragic. My condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet.

The ages of the deceased children range between a few days to a few months.