NEW DELHI: Hours after a massive fire engulfed a hospital in Delhi late Saturday night leading to the death of seven newborn babies, CM
Arvind Kejriwal
called the incident “heartbreaking”. He further assured that the matter was being
investigated
and “whoever is responsible for this
negligence
will not be spared.”
Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj also said strictest punishment will be given to those found negligent or involved in any wrongdoing.
The fire broke out at New Born Baby Care Hospital in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar. The owner of the care centre Naveen Kichi is still at large.
Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu has also expressed shock over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved parents and relatives.
Here are key developments in the incident:
7 outs of 12 rescued babies dead, owner still absconding
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. One of the babies was already dead before the fire call was made.
The owner of the care centre is Naveen Kichi who is still absconding.
‘Most likely, the building had
no NOC’: Director of fire department
Director of the Delhi fire department Atul Garg said that it is most likely that the authorities did not posses a No-Objection Certificate (NOC). “I cannot explain this completely yet, most likely the authorities did not posses a No-Objection Certificate (NOC),” he told media.
Further, Garg said that because there were some oxygen cylinders, the blast took place.
“When we got the call, the caller requested to send more vehicles as the fire spread to the nearby buildings also,” Garg said.
‘Fire broke out in baby centre first’: Fire department
According to Atul Garg, the fire broke out in the baby centre first, so people from nearby areas had already left and there was no need to rescue the adjacent buildings.
“It was a very tough operation. We made two teams. One team started firefighting because there was a blast of cylinders, we can say the chain of blast of cylinders. So we had to save ourselves also. We started rescue operations for babies as well. Unfortunately, we could not save all the children,” he added.
NCPCR deploys team to investigate
The NCPCR has deployed a team to probe into the fire incident at a private children’s hospital in east Delhi’s Vivek Vihar that left seven newborns dead.
In a post on X, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson (NCPCR) Priyank Kanoongo said the commission has taken cognisance of the fire incident and the newborns’ deaths.
An NCPCR team will visit the hospital to investigate the incident, Kanoongo said.
‘Unfortunately, couldn’t save all the children’: Fire department
Talking about the difficulties faced during the rescue operation, director of the Delhi fire department Atul Garg said, “We removed all the twelve babies to the hospital. But after arrival, they declared that 6 were dead. That is a regrettable incident,” he added.
The Delhi fire services said they received a call at 11.32pm. On information, police officials and firefighters reached the spot and doused the fire.
“At 11.32pm, Fire Service Control Room received information that fire broke out at a hospital…total 16 fire tenders reached the spot and fire has been extinguished completely. 2 buildings were affected by the fire, one is the hospital building and 2 floors of a residential building on the right side also caught fire…11-12 people were rescued and they were taken to hospital. Further details will be shared later”, fire officer Rajendra Atwal said.
‘Thoughts are with the bereaved families’: PM Modi
PM Narendra Modi tweeted about the incident calling it “heart-reding”.
“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”, he said.
‘Guilty won’t be spared.’: CM Kejriwal
Assuring a probe into the incident, CM Arvind Kejriwal in a post on X said, “This incident of fire in a children’s hospital is heartbreaking. We all stand with those who lost their innocent children in this accident.”
He said the reasons behind the fire were being probed and those found negligent will not be spared.
“Government and administration officials are busy providing treatment to the injured at the spot. The causes of the incident are being investigated and whoever is responsible for this negligence will not be spared,” he added.
‘Heart-rending’: President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu extended condolences to the family of the bereaved saying, “The news of the death of many children due to a 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.”
Strictest punishment: Delhi’s health minister
Calling the incident “unfortunate”, Delhi’s health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the administration will ensure “strictest punishment” for the culprits.
In a post on X, he 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.”
(With inputs from agencies)
