New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday said he was deeply saddened by the death of infants in a fire incident at a government hospital in Maharashtra and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the affected families.
Ten babies, aged between one month and three months, died after a fire broke out in the special newborn care unit of the hospital in Maharashtra’s Bhandra district in the early hours on Saturday, doctors said.
“I am deeply saddened by the untimely death of infants in a fire accident in Bhandara, Maharashtra. My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their children in this heart-wrenching event,” Kovind said in a tweet in Hindi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief at the tragic fire incident.
“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,” Modi tweeted.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condoled the death of newborn babies appealed to the state government to provide all possible assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured.
“The unfortunate incident of fire at Bhandara District General Hospital in Maharashtra is extremely tragic. My condolences to the families of the children who lost their lives,” Gandhi said in a tweet.
“I appeal to Maha Govt to provide every possible assistance to the families of the injured & deceased,” he said.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray expressed grief over the death of newborn babies and ordered a probe.
Thackeray spoke to Health Minister Rajesh Tope soon after learning about the incident which occurred in the child care unit in the hospital, as per a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.
“The chief Minister has ordered a probe in the entire incident. He spoke to the district collector and police superintendent and asked them to probe the fire,” the statement said.
