Maha: 10 babies die in Bhandara hospital fire | Economic Times

NAGPUR: At least 10 premature babies have died after a fire broke out in the neonatal care unit of District General Hospital in Bhandara at around 2 am on Saturday. Seven other babies were rescued by the on-duty staff.10 children killed in fire at Bhandara District General Hospital in #Maharashtra, reports ANI https://t.co/5vrI1hATVF— TOI Pune (@TOIPune) 1610155646000Civil surgeon Dr Pramod Khandate told TOI that three to four babies were charred to death while the rest of the casualties happened as oxygen supply was cut. Prima facie it appears that the fire broke out following a short circuit. A doctor and a nurse were on duty at the time of the incident.The fire brigade was deployed and the blaze was brought under control. Dr Khandate said some babies were delivered at the hospital while others were brought from outside. The rescued babies were shifted to the other units. "The staff tried their best to save the babies. Top officials, including deputy director of health services Sanjay Jaiswal, district collector Sandeep Kadam and SP, visited the spot,” he said. The exact cause of death would be ascertained after postmortem, the doctor said, adding, relatives were yet to be informed.Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke to health minister Rajesh Tope as well as district collector and superintendent of police of Bhandara district. He has also ordered a probe. Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the deceased. Union home minister Amit Shah has expressed grief over the fire incident.The fire accident in Bhandara district hospital, Maharashtra is very unfortunate. I am pained beyond words. My thou… https://t.co/sQQXtIgb3D— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) 1610160950000"I am pained beyond words. My thoughts and condolences are with bereaved families," tweeted the Union home minister. Prime minister Narendra Modi has also expressed grief over the tragic incident. Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives. My thoughts are with all… https://t.co/F1IA1BiC4V— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1610163275000"Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives," tweeted PM Modi.