Steph Deschamps / November 19, 2024
The fire broke out at around 10.30pm on Friday at the Maharani Lakshmibai Teaching Hospital in the state of Uttar Pradesh. “Ten children have sadly died,” state number two Brajesh Pathak told reporters quizzing him about the fire. “Seven bodies have been identified. Three bodies have not yet been identified,” he added.
Sixteen other newborns are in critical condition after the fire, according to the Indian newspaper Times Now.
NDTV reported that 54 children were in the neonatal intensive care unit when the fire broke out. These deaths are “heartbreaking”, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on X. “My deepest condolences to those who have lost their innocent children in this case. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss”, he added.
Fires are common in India due to poor building practices, overcrowding and lack of respect for safety regulations.