Delhi: Tragedy struck a Delhi hospital as a fire claimed the lives of at least six newborn babies, as confirmed by local authorities. The incident occurred late on Saturday evening in the Vivek Vihar area of the Indian capital. Senior police officer Surendra Choudhary reported that among the 12 babies in the unit, one had already passed away prior to the outbreak of the fire.
Efforts to bring those responsible to justice are underway, with the hospital owner facing legal repercussions for fleeing the scene. Images circulating on social media depicted the harrowing sight of flames consuming the entire structure. Delhi’s Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, vowing a thorough investigation into the causes of the tragedy.
Atul Garg, director of Delhi’s fire department, revealed that 14 fire trucks were dispatched to battle the inferno, which spread rapidly due to an oxygen cylinder explosion. Rescue operations faced challenges due to the building’s limited access, featuring only a single staircase and lacking fire escapes.
Situated amidst residential areas, questions linger about the hospital’s adherence to safety protocols and the initial spark of the fire remains unknown. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a somber statement on social media, described the incident as “heart-rending.”
