Delhi: Seven newborns dead in fire at baby care centre in Vivek Vihar, PM Modi announces ex gratia

Delhi fire: A massive fire broke out at a New Born Baby Care Hospital in the Vivek Vihar area of the national capital on Saturday (May 25) night, said police. At least seven newborns died after being rescued from the spot. 

On information, police officials and firefighters reached the area and doused the fire. As per a fire officer, the fire was extinguished completely, and a total of 12 children were rescued, out of which seven died and five others were admitted to the hospital.

PM Modi pays condolences and announces ex gratia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X and said, "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."

In the wake of the fire tragedy at a hospital in Delhi, the Prime Minister has announced that an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be given to each of those injured.

Children hospital fire heart-rending, guilty won't be spared: Arvind Kejriwal

"This incident of fire in a children's hospital is heartbreaking. We all stand with those who lost their innocent children in this accident. 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," Delhi CM posted on X today. 

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. The blaze broke out at the Baby Care New Born Hospital around 11:30 pm on Saturday and soon spread to two adjacent buildings. Twelve newborns were rescued from the facility but seven of them died. Five babies are undergoing treatment at another hospital. 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.

Rescued kids admitted at NICU hospital

The rescued newborns have been shifted to East Delhi Advance NICU hospital.

Fire Officer Rajendra Atwal, said, "At 11:32 pm, Fire Service Control Room received information that fire broke out at a hospital and 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".

According to DFS chief Atul Garg, the rescue operation is still on. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. "A fire call from Baby Care Centre, near ITI, Block B of Vivek Vihar area was received. A total of nine fire tenders were dispatched," Garg said. 

'Death of children in Delhi hospital heart-rending': President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said the death of children due to a fire in a hospital in Delhi is heart-rending and prayed for strength to the bereaved parents.
"I pray for the speedy recovery of other children injured in this incident," she said.

"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," the president said in a post on X in Hindi.

Saurabh Bharadwaj sends directions to Health Secretary

Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj sends directions to Health Secretary Deepak Kumar and Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar. As Health Secretary not responding to phone calls and messages, directions have been sent via email with copy to CS.

Health Minister directs for speedy Enquiry in to this incident, and provide Names and designations of officers or private people responsible for this negligence. Directions given to ensure free treatment of rescued children in best private hospitals.(under Farishtey scheme)

Directions for speedy Compensation to the families of deceased and injured. Directions to Expedite the arrests of those who were running this Centre.

(With inputs from Vishal Pandey)

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