Hospital fire: Ten babies fall victim to flames!

Jhansi - At least ten babies have died in a major fire at a neonatal intensive care unit in India.

Uncredited/AP/dpa
Fire-damaged equipment lies in a neonatal intensive care unit at Jhansi Medical College Hospital.

16 others were slightly injured, according to Indian media reports.

In total, around 50 children were in the ward of the hospital in Jhansi in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh at the time of the fire on Friday evening (local time).

According to initial findings, a short circuit caused the fire. Because no alarm had been triggered, the evacuation of the children was delayed, according to the reports.

The fire caused a mass panic when patients and relatives tried to leave the building. The flames have since been extinguished.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (74) spoke of a "heartbreaking incident". He expressed his condolences to the relatives on Platform X.

At least ten babies died in the major fire in the neonatal intensive care unit and 16 others were slightly injured.
At least ten babies died in the major fire in the neonatal intensive care unit and 16 others were slightly injured.

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath (52), ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and compensation for those affected.