Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Fire at Telangana RIMS Newborn Unit Kills Three Infants
A fire started late Monday night in a hospital unit for newborn babies in Adilabad, Telangana.
The hospital is called Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, or RIMS.
Some reports said two babies died, while other officials reported that three died.
The fire may have started when an air conditioner developed an electrical problem.
Thick smoke spread through the ward and made rescue difficult.
Staff, emergency workers, police and local people moved the babies to safer places.
Some babies became sick from the smoke and were taken to other hospitals.
Officials are investigating what happened and checking the hospital’s safety systems.
They also want hospitals across Telangana to improve fire and electrical safety.
A fire broke out late Monday in the Special Newborn Care Unit at RIMS in Adilabad, Telangana.
Reports differed on the death toll, citing two infants in some accounts and three in others.
Officials said 25, 27, or 28 children were evacuated or shifted after smoke filled the ward.
Some infants developed smoke-related complications; reports said four were critical, while another account said 20 remained hospitalized and four were discharged.
Authorities suspect an air-conditioner short circuit or blast, while investigations and hospital safety audits remain underway.
- Who
- Infants in the Special Newborn Care Unit were affected; hospital staff, emergency workers, police, local residents and Telangana officials responded.
- What
- A fire broke out in the newborn care unit, causing reported infant deaths, evacuations and smoke-related illnesses.
- When
- Late Monday night, reported at approximately 11:40 to 11:50 p.m.; additional deaths were reported on Tuesday in some accounts.
- Where
- The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences in Adilabad, Telangana.
- Why
- The cause remains under investigation, though preliminary accounts linked the fire to a suspected air-conditioner short circuit or blast.
Two-infant reports
Three-infant reports
Death toll
Two-infant reports
Initial reports and the Adilabad district collector’s account said two newborns died, including infants who had been on ventilators.
Three-infant reports
Health officials and a later account said three infants died: one pre-term baby was declared brought dead and two others died on Tuesday.
Number of children affected
Two-infant reports
One report said 25 children were evacuated and four were in critical condition after smoke exposure.
Three-infant reports
Other accounts said 27 infants were shifted to private hospitals, with 20 still admitted and four discharged; another report cited 28 children evacuated.
Cause and accountability
Two-infant reports
Preliminary accounts described an air-conditioner blast or electrical short circuit as the likely cause.
Three-infant reports
Officials said the air-conditioning unit apparently caught fire after a short circuit but stressed that the exact cause, safety lapses and possible negligence require a comprehensive inquiry.
- Location
- Special Newborn Care Unit, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Adilabad, Telangana.
- Reported time
- Late Monday night, between approximately 11:40 and 11:50 p.m.
- Reported deaths
- Two infants according to some reports; three according to other officials and accounts.
- Evacuation figures
- Reports cited 25, 27 or 28 children evacuated or shifted to other hospitals.
- Patient status
- One report said four infants were critical; another said 20 remained hospitalized and four were discharged after stabilising.
- Suspected cause
- A possible short circuit or blast involving an air-conditioning unit; the exact cause has not been confirmed.
- Government response
- An inquiry was ordered, and electrical, fire-safety and civil-structure audits were announced for RIMS.
Sources
Two infants die after fire breaks out at RIMS newborn care unit in Telangana's Adilabad
3 infants die in RIMS Adilabad fire accident
Fire in Telangana hospital's newborn unit kills three infants
