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In a horrific fire accident on 15th November, 10 newborns were killed as a fire broke out at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi. The fire erupted in the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) around 10:45 pm, said District Magistrate (DM) Avinash Kumar, who confirmed the casualties. A short-circuit inside the oxygen concentrator possibly caused the fire, said Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak.

The deja vu irony was that fire alarms at the hospital were not in working condition, with sources suggesting a lack of maintenance of emergency systems.

At least 54 children were admitted to the NICU at that moment as officials swung into action and rescued 44 newborns. Seven of the 10 victims have been identified, said an official, adding that DNA tests would be carried out if needed to identify the rest of the victims.

Several families of the victims were seen camping at the hospital to demonstrate over the tragic incident, as visuals showed the next morning.

Mr Pathak, who holds the health portfolio too, said a fire safety audit of the hospital was carried out in February, followed by a mock fire drill in June. "On how and why it happened, we can say something about it once the probe report comes," said Mr Pathak. He said there would be three levels of investigation into the fire - one each by the health department, the police, and a magisterial inquiry.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath meanwhile, ordered senior officials and doctors to conduct rescue operations on a war footing and asked for the deployment of adequate fire-fighting vehicles. He also announced Rs. 5 lakh financial assistance for the families of the victims. Those who suffered serious injuries are to get Rs. 50,000 each.

The Chief Minister has also directed the Divisional Commissioner and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jhansi to submit a report within 12 hours