Maharashtra. The fire broke out around 2 am at the Sick Newborn Care Unit of the hospital.
Seven other infants who were admitted in the unit were however rescued.
The cause of the fire was not known immediately but the hospital administration said an electrical short circuit could be the possible reason.
Speaking to India Today TV, Civil Surgeon of Bhandara District General Hospital, Dr Pramod Khandate said 17 children were admitted to the Sick Newborn Care Unit.
In the wee hours of Saturday, a nurse notice smoke emanating from this ward and altered doctors. The hospital staff tried their best to save the children. Ten children have died died, seven are safe.”
The infants admitted to the ward were aged between one and three months.
Dr Khandate said the fire brigade was able to rescue seven babies from the ‘inbound ward’.
He added that the ward where the babies are kept requires a continuous supply of oxygen.
“There were fire extinguishers and staff used them while trying to douse the fire. There was too much smoke,” he said.
The hospital has informed parents of the deceased children about the tragedy and the seven newborn babies rescued in the blaze have been shifted to another ward.
Apart from this, patients from the ICU ward, dialysis wing and labour ward (a room in a hospital set aside for childbirth) were also shifted to other wards safely.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray spoke to state health minister Rajesh Tope as well as District Collector and Superintendent of Police of Bhandara district over the fire tragedy. The chief minister has also ordered a probe into the matter.
POLITICAL REACTIONS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the tragedy as “heart wrenching” and said he hopes recovery to the injured.
“Heart-wrenching tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives. My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the injured recover as early as possible,” PM Modi tweeted.
Union home minister Amit Shah said the tragedy at Bhandara district hospital was “unfortunate” and he is “pained beyond words”.
“The fire accident in Bhandara district hospital, Maharashtra is very unfortunate. I am pained beyond words. My thoughts and condolences are with bereaved families. May God give them the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” Amit Shah tweeted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also tweeted on the tragedy and said it is “extremely tragic”.
He tweeted: “The unfortunate incident of fire at Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra is extremely tragic. My condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives. I appeal to Maharashtra government to provide every possible assistance to the families of the injured and deceased.”
Defence minister Rajnath Singh said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
“Deeply saddened by the death of infants in a tragic fire at the District Hospital Bhandara, Maharashtra. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” he tweeted.
