- Delhi hospital fire kills seven infants; lacked valid license
- Hospital owner, on-duty doctor arrested; facility violated safety norms
- Delhi government orders investigation; PM Modi announces compensation
Police reported that a hospital in Delhi, the capital of India, was operating without a valid license, resulting in the deaths of seven infants in a fire.
The hospital proprietor and the on-duty physician were apprehended due to the Saturday fire.
Additionally, the facility lacked an emergency exit and fire extinguishers, according to an investigation.
The catastrophe occurred hours after a fire broke out in a gaming arcade in Rajkot, Gujarat, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals.
Fires frequently occur in residential and commercial structures in India due to inadequate enforcement of safety regulations.
The hospital in Delhi’s Vivek Vihar neighborhood was engulfed in flames on Saturday, causing widespread horror and outrage.
The hospital’s NOC (No Objection Certificate) expired on March 31, according to Shahdara Surendra Chaudhary, the police commissioner, in comments to the ANI news agency.
A fire NOC is necessary for hospital buildings that exceed 15 meters (49 feet) in height, as it certifies that the building complies with fire safety regulations.
Mr. Chaudhary further stated that the facility could only install five beds but had installed ten.
Twelve newborn infants were present at the facility during the fire. Currently, five of them are receiving treatment at a different hospital.
In connection with the fire, the police have apprehended Dr. Naveen Kichi, the hospital’s superintendent, and a physician named Akash (the police have only disclosed one name). They have been indicted for culpable homicide.
The police stated that Dr. Akash, who was on assignment at the time of the incident, was not qualified to treat newborn babies needing intensive care.
The Delhi government has initiated a magisterial inquiry.
On Saturday, social media platforms were inundated with dramatic images of the building being consumed by fire.
According to Atul Garg, the superintendent of Delhi’s fire department, in an interview with the Press Trust of India news agency, the fire had spread as a result of a blast in an oxygen cylinder.
According to media reports, the police are also investigating the potential for the hospital to operate an illegal oxygen cylinder filling racket following allegations of suspicious activities by local residents.
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According to officials, rescue efforts were also impeded by the building’s limited access, which includes a single staircase and no fire escape.
Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, described the calamity as “heartbreaking.”
Mr. Kejriwal stated that the causes of the incident are currently being investigated, and those who are accountable for this negligence will not be exempt.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi characterized it as “heart-wrenching.” He has declared an ex gratia of 200,000 rupees ($2407; £1889) for the family members of each deceased individual and 50,000 rupees for each injured individual.
