A devastating fire at a neonatal intensive care unit in a Jhansi hospital claimed the lives of 10 newborns and injured 16 others late Friday, raising serious concerns about safety and emergency response.

The tragedy has ignited urgent discussions about safety protocols in Indian hospitals, particularly as eyewitnesses reported that fire alarms failed to activate and that emergency evacuations were delayed. With victims' families seeking answers, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has pledged support and vowed a thorough investigation, highlighting a broader issue of flouted safety regulations in a country where such disasters have become alarmingly frequent.

The calamity struck late Friday night at a hospital located in Jhansi, a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. At the time of the fire, there were 55 infants being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit. The flames spread rapidly through the ward, prompting a chaotic rescue effort that ultimately saved 45 babies, while 10 newborns tragically lost their lives in the incident. It was not immediately clear what sparked the blaze, and despite fire alarms being installed, they did not activate during the fire.

Emergency services' response to the incident faced significant delays, with eyewitness accounts indicating that the rescue operation did not begin until around 30 minutes after the fire first erupted. This delay raised alarm among parents and health officials alike, underscoring the critical need for effective emergency protocols in medical facilities.

Compounding the tragedy is the revelation that even though fire alarms had been installed in the neonatal unit, they did not activate during the blaze. Hospital staff reportedly acted only after they noticed smoke and flames, which has prompted questions about the effectiveness of the hospital's fire safety measures.

Naresh Kumar, a parent who tragically lost his baby in the fire, expressed frustration over the incident, stating, "If the safety alarm had worked, more lives could have been saved." His sentiments were echoed by Akhtar Hussain, who successfully had his son rescued. Hussain also called for improved safety protocols, asserting that better preparedness could have averted the disaster.

Following the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak visited the hospital to meet with families affected by the tragedy. He assured them of government support and announced that an investigation would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the fire and identify any lapses in safety protocols.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and officials are working to gather information that could shed light on how such an incident could occur in a facility responsible for the care of the most vulnerable patients. In the meantime, the state government is likely to face pressure to implement stricter fire safety regulations across healthcare facilities.

Fires in hospitals and other public buildings are not uncommon in India, where issues with adherence to building codes and safety regulations are notorious. This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the systemic issues that plague many healthcare establishments in the country, raising concerns about the protection of patients’ lives.

As investigations commence, the families of the victims and those injured in this heartbreaking event await answers. The call for accountability and reform in safety standards has become a pressing concern, as the nation grapples with the aftermath of a disaster that has claimed the lives of 10 newborn babies and left 16 others injured.