UP Government Forms 4-Man Team to Investigate Jhansi Hospital Fire, Denies Charges Related to Expired Fire Extinguishers

Last Update:16 November 2024 19:44 IST

Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak on Saturday denied media reports that fire extinguishers in the medical college had expired.

The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday ordered a three-phase investigation into the Jhansi hospital fire incident. (Image/News18)

Following reports of expired fire extinguishers and faulty alarm system, the Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday constituted a four-member inquiry committee from the state Health Department into the fire incident in the children’s ward of a medical college in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi district. 10 newborns were killed. The government also denied reports that fire extinguishers at the facility had expired.

A committee of 4 people was formed under the chairmanship of the General Directorate of Medical Education. The investigation committee will submit a detailed investigation report into the incident within the next seven days, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement.

According to Jhansi Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Gyanendra Kumar Singh, while post-mortems were conducted for seven babies on Saturday, post-mortems of three children could not be conducted as their parents were not yet identified. news agency PTI.

The fire broke out in the NICU wards of Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, one of the largest government hospitals in the state’s Bundelkhand region, around 10.45 pm on Friday, possibly due to an electrical short circuit, according to Jhansi District Magistrate Avinash Kumar.

Government Rejects Expired Fire Extinguisher Report

Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak on Saturday denied media reports that fire extinguishers in the medical college had expired. “All fire-fighting equipment at the medical school was in completely good condition,” he said in a statement.

The Deputy Prime Minister also reported that a fire safety inspection was carried out at the medical faculty in February and a drill was carried out in June.

Medical college principal Dr Narendra Singh Sengar also termed the allegations as “baseless”.

UP Govt Announces Ex Gratia of Rs 5 Lakh

While President Droupadi Murmu called the news of the incident “extremely heartbreaking”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an assistance of 2 lakh rupees for the next of kin of each deceased. The Uttar Pradesh government also announced an additional gratia of Rs 5 lakh.

The incident has led to a political blame game in the state, where bypolls will be held on November 20 for nine Assembly seats. Opposition parties blamed the BJP government in the state and said the deaths raised serious questions about the administration’s negligence.

In a statement made by the Uttar Pradesh government, it was stated that senior officials took responsibility for the situation on Friday night, following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s instructions to speed up rescue efforts.

It was stated that most of the children were evacuated to a safe place within 15 to 20 minutes with the rescue operation, while it was also stated that most of the babies were shifted to the PICU ward.

Expressing his condolences to the families of the dead children, Chief Minister Adityanath instructed the authorities to provide all possible assistance to the victims. “10 newborn babies died in the accident, and 54 people were rescued,” he said.

Another statement from the state government said, “As directed by the CM, an assistance of Rs 5 lakh per head is being provided to the parents of newborn babies killed in the incident and Rs 50,000 to the families of those injured from the Chief Minister’s intervention. Relief Fund.”

He added that the Chief Minister has directed the Jhansi District Commissioner and the deputy inspector general of police to submit a report on the incident within 12 hours.

At the election rally in Phulpur in Prayagraj, Adityanath said that the fire was caused by a short circuit. “We were coordinating (with authorities) all night for relief and rescue efforts to make sure the other children were rescued,” he said, explaining why he was late in arriving at the rally.

“My heart goes out to those who lost their children,” the Prime Minister said.

The state government also said that as soon as information about the incident was received, Adityanath sent Deputy Chief Minister Pathak and chief health secretary to the spot.

“Sixteen children are receiving treatment in other wards of the medical faculty. Pathak said that children who are 3-4 days old are kept in a heater. PTI on Saturday.

“Instructions have been given to initiate a three-phase investigation into the incident. Jhansi Divisional Commissioner and DIG have been told to investigate the matter and the fire brigade will also investigate the matter. Along with this, directions have also been given to conduct a judicial inquiry into the incident.” he said.

Congress Attacks UP Government

The Congress targeted the Adityanath dispensation over the incident and Rahul Gandhi said that the tragic events taking place one after another in Uttar Pradesh have raised many serious questions about the negligence of the government and administration.

Party president Mallikarjun Kharge demanded an investigation into the accident and strict legal action against the person found guilty of negligence.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the CM should abandon the poll campaign and focus on improving the health and medical facilities of the state. He also demanded payment of Rs 1 crore to all bereaved families, adding that “Gorakhpur should not be repeated”.

(With input from institutions)