MADRID, 16 (EUROPA PRESS)
At least ten newborns have died and another 16 have been seriously injured by a fire that broke out in the neonatal unit of a hospital in the city of Jhansi, in northern India, possibly caused by a short circuit, although an investigation has been opened. to determine the cause of the incident, as reported this Saturday by the authorities.
“The death of the newborns is very unfortunate. Together with the family members, we are trying to identify the bodies,” said the deputy minister of the state of Uttar Pradesh, where the incident occurred, Brajesh Pathak, speaking to reporters. , collected by the newspaper ‘Times of India’.
Pathak, who detailed that the cause of the fire will be investigated, has asserted that “strict action will be taken against those responsible.” For the moment, Pathak himself has pointed to a possible short circuit in the oxygen machine as a probable cause of the fire.
The events occurred around 10:45 p.m. (local time), when a short circuit inside the oxygen concentrator could have caused the fire, according to the vice minister. “About how and why it happened, we will be able to say something about it once the investigation report arrives,” he said, however, as reported by the Indian network NDTV.
Seven bodies have been identified, while three remain unidentified. Another 16 babies have been found in critical condition after the fire.
In total, there were 54 newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) of the Maharani Lakshmibai Medical College when the accident occurred.
FAMILIES PROTESTS
Already on Saturday morning there have been scenes of intense pain and protests by the relatives of the surviving injured babies because they have not been able to see them. Relatives have set up a protest camp in front of the health center after security forces prevented them from blocking the road, NDTV reports.
Sources cited by the network indicate that they have not been allowed to see the babies to avoid confusion regarding the identity of the minors.
“Heartbreaking! The fire incident at the Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to those who have lost their innocent children,” lamented Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the social network .
The president has also announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (about 2,250 euros) to the relatives of each person who died in the fire and 50,000 rupees (about 560 euros) to the injured.
For her part, the country’s president, Draupadi Murmu, has also described this incident as “extremely heartbreaking.” “May God grant the grieving parents and relatives the strength to endure this cruel blow. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured babies,” he stated in X.
Meanwhile, the opposition in Uttar Pradesh led by the Samajwadi Party has denounced the negligence of the hospital management and has called for action against those responsible.