Seven Newborns Die In Fire At East Delhi Children’s Hospital
NEW DELHI, May 26: A massive fire broke out at a children’s hospital in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar, leaving seven newborns dead, officials said on May 26.
The officials of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said the blaze broke out at the children’s hospital in Shahdara on Saturday night.
Twelve newborns were rescued from the medical facility but seven of them died, DFS chief Atul Garg said.
Five babies are undergoing treatment at another hospital, he said.
A senior police officer said the fire broke out at the Baby Care New Born Hospital and its adjacent building at around 11.30 p.m. on Saturday.
The babies were rescued from the hospital with the help of other people and shifted to another hospital. While six babies were declared brought dead, one died during treatment, the officer said.
The bodies have been shifted to the GTB Hospital for postmortem.
Police said action is being initiated against the owner of the hospital identified as Naveen Kichi.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal vows action against perpetrators
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called the incident ‘heartbreaking’. “We all stand with those who lost their innocent children in this accident. Government and administration officials are busy providing treatment to the injured at the spot,” he said. Vowing that whoever is responsible for this negligence will not be spared, Mr. Kejriwal said the cause of the incident is being investigated.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “Very unfortunate incident reported. I have asked Secretary [Health] to update about the current situation. Culprits will not be spared. Strictest punishment will be ensured for those found negligent or involved in any wrong doing.”
Delhi Fire Service Director Atul Garg said the fire was caused due to a blast in an oxygen cylinder and spread rapidly.
Death of children due to fire in Delhi hospital heart-rending: President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said the death of children due to a fire in a hospital in Delhi is heart-rending and prayed for strength to the bereaved parents.
“I pray for the speedy recovery of other children injured in this incident,” she said. (Agencies)
