1 week ago
Amravati NICU Fire Kills Three Infants; Probe, Aid Announced
A fire started in a hospital room for premature and very sick babies in Amravati.
It happened early on Monday morning.
Three newborn babies died.
Thirty-six other children were rescued safely.
Six injured babies were taken to another hospital for treatment.
Officials said a ventilator caught fire.
An opposition leader said early reports mentioned an explosion instead.
The government ordered an investigation and promised to punish anyone found responsible.
Each family that lost a baby will receive Rs 5 lakh, and the government will pay for treatment for injured children.
Three newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the NICU of Amravati District Women’s Hospital early Monday.
Officials said a ventilator caught fire at about 3:15 a.m., while an opposition leader cited initial reports of an explosion.
Thirty-six children were rescued safely, and six injured infants were receiving treatment at a local Super Speciality Hospital.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a high-level inquiry and promised strict action against those found responsible.
The Maharashtra government will provide Rs 5 lakh to each deceased child’s family and pay for injured children’s treatment.
- Who
- Three newborn babies died, 36 children were rescued, and six injured infants were treated; Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered an inquiry.
- What
- A fire in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit killed three infants.
- Where
- District Women’s Hospital in Amravati, Maharashtra.
- When
- Early Monday, at approximately 3:15 a.m.
- Why
- Officials said a ventilator caught fire, while opposition accounts cited initial reports of an explosion; the exact cause remains under investigation.
Government Response
Opposition Criticism
Cause of the fire
Government Response
Officials said a ventilator in the NICU caught fire, and the government ordered an inquiry to establish responsibility.
Opposition Criticism
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar cited initial reports of an explosion in a ventilator and said the incident raised serious questions about hospital safety.
Negligence and accountability
Government Response
The government promised the strictest action against anyone found responsible and directed senior officials to visit and monitor the situation.
Opposition Criticism
Opposition leaders, including Supriya Sule and Shashikant Shinde, alleged possible negligence and demanded action against responsible officers, along with audits of fire safety and medical equipment.
Preventing future incidents
Government Response
Authorities said emergency measures were active, medical care would continue, and affected families would receive assistance.
Opposition Criticism
Opposition parties called for fire-safety and equipment audits across government and private hospitals, while Anil Deshmukh said an earlier committee report after the 2021 Bhandara hospital deaths had not been implemented.
Key facts
- Deaths
- Three newborn babies
- Rescued
- Thirty-six children rescued safely
- Injured
- Six infants receiving treatment at a local Super Speciality Hospital
- Reported time
- About 3:15 a.m. on Monday
- Compensation
- Rs 5 lakh for the family of each deceased child
- Investigation
- A high-level inquiry ordered by the Maharashtra health administration
- Medical support
- The state will provide treatment for injured children at government expense
Quotes
Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister who ordered an inquiry and announced compensation for the victims’ families
“The strictest possible action will be taken against those responsible for this incident. Both the Health Minister and the Secretary have been instructed to visit Amravati today itself. The incident of the death of three children is extremely tragic and heart-wrenching. We share in the grief of their families.”
thehansindia.com
“This is not merely an accident but a glaring example of negligence in the system. A thorough investigation of the entire matter must be conducted, and the strictest possible action must be taken against those responsible.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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