In a tragic incident late Friday, a fire broke out in the neonatal unit of Maharani Lakshmibai Medical College in Jhansi, India, killing 10 newborns. The blaze, reportedly triggered by a faulty oxygen machine, forced hospital staff to race against time to rescue as many infants as possible. Amid the chaos, 39 babies were saved and safely relocated within the hospital.

Authorities say the fire erupted around 10:30 pm, with footage showing charred cribs and anguished family members gathered outside the ward. “My child has gone forever,” one mother cried, embodying the heartbreak of families devastated by the event.

Dr. Narendra Sengar, the hospital’s principal, confirmed that, despite rescue efforts, 10 infants could not be saved. "Our team acted selflessly, risking their lives to save others," Sengar said, acknowledging the bravery of staff who saved 39 babies, all of whom remain in stable condition.

Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy Chief Minister, Brajesh Pathak, visited grieving families and pledged a thorough investigation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, calling the incident “heart-wrenching.” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a compensation of 500,000 rupees for each affected family.

This tragedy follows another deadly hospital fire in New Delhi just six months ago. Authorities have since faced renewed pressure to enforce fire safety regulations in hospitals, where violations remain widespread despite high risks.