Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak said on Saturday that DNA tests will be done, if necessary, to identify three of the ten newborns who tragically died in a fire at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Jhansi Medical College on Friday evening.

The incident resulted in the burn injuries of multiple newborns and seven of the deceased have been identified. "Ten newborns have died, seven have been identified, and three are yet to be identified. If required, DNA tests will be conducted,” said Deputy Chief Minister Pathak while speaking to reporters. "Instructions have been given to probe the incident. The local administration has been asked to submit the probe report within 24 hours. Prima facie, it appears to be a short circuit inside the oxygen concentrator. A helpline number will be established for the missing newborns. I am personally monitoring the situation, and we are with the affected families,” he added. 

Pathak assured that anyone found to be careless will face severe consequences. "The death of the newborns is very unfortunate. Probes at administrative, police, fire department, and magisterial levels have been ordered. If any lapses are found, no one will be spared," he said. Additionally, he affirmed that the affected families would receive financial assistance. 

President Droupadi Murmu, also sent her condolences, calling the event "heartbreaking." In a post on X, she wrote, "The news of the death of several newborn babies in the accident at Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh is extremely heartbreaking. May God give strength to the bereaved parents and families to bear this cruel blow. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured babies." 

The fire is expected to be lit as a result of a short circuit in an oxygen concentrator which intensified later on due to the highly oxygenated environment in the NICU. "There were 54 babies admitted to the NICU ward. Efforts were made to douse the fire, but since the room was highly oxygenated, the fire spread quickly. Many babies were rescued. Ten have died, and the injured are undergoing treatment," Chief Medical Superintendent Sachin Mahor told ANI. Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, a former MP and SP leader, hit out at the medical college administrators for their carelessness. "It is being said there was a short circuit in the afternoon as well, but it was overlooked. Had it been taken seriously, this tragedy could have been avoided. There should be strict action against those responsible," said he.

The situation was deemed "unfortunate" by BJP MLA Rajeev Singh Parichha, who also commended the rescue efforts. "Around 35 newborns were rescued, and doctors are giving the best possible treatment to the injured. The government is closely monitoring the situation," he said.  Yogi Adityanath, the chief minister, has ordered officials to speed up relief work and make sure the relatives of the victims have all the help they need. 

In a post on X, he called the incident "heartbreaking" and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible. "The death of children in an accident that occurred in the NICU of the medical college located in Jhansi district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. The district administration and concerned officials have been instructed to speed up the relief and rescue operations," CM Yogi said. To identify the cause of the fire and evaluate responsibility, authorities have started multi-level investigations. The victims' families are waiting for answers and closure.