Ten newborns were killed on Saturday in a major fire in a hospital in Maharashtra, India’s wealthiest state, a doctor said, while leading politicians expressed grief over the loss of life.
“The fire started at 2 am today,” said Pramod Khandate, a civilian surgeon at Bhandara District General Hospital in the west of the state. Seven of the 17 children in the sick neonatal care unit were rescued, Khandate told Reuters partner ANI.
Maharashtra’s chief minister, Uddhav Thakre, has ordered an investigation into the incident.
“Heart-breaking tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we lost precious young lives,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter. “My thoughts are with all bereaved families. I hope the wounded will recover as soon as possible. “
Several other politicians, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, also expressed their sadness.