7 Newborns Killed In Fire At Delhi Children’s Hospital; FIR Filed Against Absconding Owner

New Delhi: A devastating fire at the New Born Baby Care Hospital in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar area resulted in the tragic deaths of seven infants late Saturday night. The blaze, which broke out around 11:30 pm, prompted a rapid response from Delhi Fire Services, who dispatched 16 fire tenders to combat the inferno.

According to the Delhi Police, 12 newborns were admitted to the hospital at the time of the incident. Tragically, one infant was already deceased before the fire, and six more succumbed following the blaze. The remaining five babies were rushed to East Delhi Advance NICU Hospital for further treatment, but another succumbed, bringing the death toll to seven. Their bodies have been moved to GTB Hospital for postmortem examinations.

The fire, believed to have been caused by a series of oxygen cylinder explosions, also affected a neighbouring building, though no casualties were reported from there. Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg described the operation as highly challenging due to the cylinder blasts, which posed significant risks to both the rescue teams and the trapped infants.

An FIR has been registered against Naveen Kichi, the hospital owner, under IPC sections 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others), 304A (causing death by negligence), and 34 (criminal act done by several persons). Kichi is currently absconding.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, vowing that those accountable will face severe consequences.

बच्चों के अस्पताल में आग की ये घटना हृदयविदारक है। इस हादसे में जिन्होंने अपने मासूम बच्चों को खोया उनके साथ हम सब खड़े हैं। घटनास्थल पर सरकार और प्रशासन के अधिकारी घायलों को इलाज मुहैया करवाने में लगे हुए हैं। घटना के कारणों की जाँच की जा रही है और जो भी इस लापरवाही का… https://t.co/eJuj2y9b1w

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 26, 2024

Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj echoed this sentiment, promising the strictest possible punishment for any negligence or wrongdoing.

This tragic event follows closely on the heels of a similar disaster in Rajkot, Gujarat, where a massive fire in a gaming zone claimed 24 lives, including nine children.