Delhi: 7 newborns killed in fire at hospital; NCPCR initiates probe
Police said action is being initiated against the owner of the hospital identified as Naveen Kichi
Seven newborns were killed in a massive fire that broke out in a children’s hospital in east Delhi's Vivek Vihar, officials said on Sunday (May 26).
Officials of the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) said the blaze broke out at the children's hospital in Shahdara on Saturday (May 25) night.
Twelve newborns were rescued from the medical facility, but seven of them died, DFS chief Atul Garg said.
Five of the 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 pm 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.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson (NCPCR) has deployed a team to probe into the incident. In a post on X, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said the commission has taken cognisance of the fire incident and the newborns' deaths and that a team will visit the hospital to probe it.
Challenges in rescue operation
Meanwhile, firefighting personnel said they faced several challenges during the rescue operation as a huge crowd had gathered at the spot and people started recording videos.
“Several people had gathered at the spot and were recording videos of the fire. Many of them even came close to those trying to douse the flames,” said a senior Delhi Fire Services official.
He added that people must avoid coming close to areas where a firefighting operation is underway to ensure that those dousing the flames can operate smoothly.
The fire had spread from the hospital to a boutique and a private bank in the next building, and an eyeglass showroom and a shop selling domestic articles in another building. A scooter, an ambulance and a portion of a nearby park had also caught fire, the official said.
"But the locals were standing between the park and the building and recording videos," he added.
Officials said the biggest challenge during such operations is controlling the public.
"Another challenge we faced was that there was no water source and low-hanging electrical wires. We are checking if the building had a fire NOC (no-objection certificate)," said the Delhi Fire Services official.
President, PM condole deaths
Calling the deaths of the newborns a “heart-rending” incident, President Droupadi Murmu, offered her condolences to the bereaved parents.
“The news of death of many children due to fire in a hospital in Vivek Vihar, Delhi is heart-rending. May God give strength to the bereaved parents and relatives to bear this shock. I pray for the speedy recovery of other children injured in this incident," she said in a post on X.
"The fire tragedy at a hospital in Delhi is heart-rending. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this incredibly difficult time. I pray that those injured recover at the earliest," Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X.
Those responsible won't be spared: Kejriwal
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal warned that those responsible for negligence in the incident will not be spared.
Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also said strictest punishment will be given to those found negligent or involved in any wrongdoing.
In a post on X, Kejriwal said the government stood with those who lost their children in the fire incident in Vivek Vihar, and added the administration was ensuring proper treatment to the injured.
He said the reasons behind the fire were being probed and those found negligent will not be spared.
