NEW DELHI (Reuters) – 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 (2030 GMT) today,” said Pramod Khandate, a civilian surgeon at Bhandara District General Hospital in the western 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.
“Heartbreaking tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we lost precious young lives,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter. “My thoughts are with all the bereaved families. I hope the wounded will recover as soon as possible.”
Several other politicians, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, also expressed their sadness.
(Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by William Mallard)