WEB DESK
President Ramnath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the demise of newborns who died in a tragic fire that broke out at Sick Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra at 2 am on Saturday.
Ten children were reported dead in the fire that broke out on the hospital premises while 7-8 children were rescued so far, according to Pramod Khandate, a civil surgeon in Bhandara. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi expressed grief and condoled the demise of the newborns in the heart-wrenching tragedy.
Vice President of India M. Venkiah Naidu took to Twitter and said, “Distressed to learn about the loss of lives of children in a fire mishap in a Sick Newborn Care Unit of a hospital in Bhandara, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.”
PM Modi expresses grief after Bhandara fire tragedy
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.
Speaking about the incident, Bhandara SP said that the hospital authorities informed that the 10 children died due to suffocation caused by the fire outbreak. Authorities further informed that when the nurse on duty opened the Intensive Care Unit door and saw a large amount of smoke in the room, he immediately informed the hospital authorities, after which a fire brigade was called.
Calling the fire incident in Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra very ‘unfortunate’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “I am pained beyond words. My thoughts and condolences are with bereaved families.” Taking to Twitter, Amit Shah wrote, “may God give them the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
10 Children Killed As Massive Fire Breaks Out at a Hospital in Maharashtra’s Bhandara district
Apart from Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed his condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives. Calling this incident ‘unfortunate’, Rahul Gandhi appealed to the Maharashtra government to provide every possible assistance to the families of the injured and deceased.
Maharashtra CM orders urgent probe
Following the tragic incident, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray has ordered an immediate inquiry into the matter and has directed the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police to investigate into the case. State health minister Rajesh Tope announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased in the fire accident at the hospital in Bhandara and is also scheduled to visit the hospital at 5 pm on Saturday. The state’s opposition leader Devendra Fadnavis called for an immediate probe into the accident and demanded the culprits to be strictly punished while also expressing grief over the tragic accident. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh ordered Bhandara SP to file a primary report and is also scheduled to visit the hospital on Sazturday.