'Guilty won't be spared': Kejriwal on Delhi hospital fire that killed 7 infants; top developments | India News - Times of India
Source: The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Hours after a massive fire engulfed a hospital in Delhi on late Saturday night leading to the death of seven newborn babies, CM Arvind Kejriwal called the incident "heartbreaking". He further assured that the matter was being investigated and "whoever is responsible for this negligence will not be spared."
The fire broke out at New Born Baby Care Hospital in Delhi's Vivek Vihar.The owner of the care centre Naveen Kichi is absconding.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed shock over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved parents and relatives.
Here are key developments:
12 babies rescued; owner still absconding
According to the officials, 12 children were rescued from the incident site where one was already dead before the fire call was made.
The owner of the care centre is Naveen Kichi who is still absconding.
'Stand with those who lost their innocent children'
Assuring probe into the incident, CM Arvind Kejriwal in a post on X said, "This incident of fire in a children's hospital is heartbreaking. We all stand with those who lost their innocent children in this accident."
"Government and administration officials are busy providing treatment to the injured at the spot. The causes of the incident are being investigated and whoever is responsible for this negligence will not be spared," he added.
'Heart-rending': President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu extended condolences to the family of the bereaved saying, "The news of the death of many children due to a fire in a hospital in Vivek Vihar, Delhi is heart-rending. May God give strength to the bereaved parents and relatives to bear this shock. I pray for the speedy recovery of other children injured in this incident."
Strictest punishment: Delhi's health minister
Calling the incident "unfortunate", Delhi's health minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that the administration will ensure "strictest punishment" for the culprits.
In a post on X, he said, "Very unfortunate incident reported. I have asked Secretary(Health) to update about the current situation. Culprits will not be spared. Strictest punishment will be ensured for those found negligent or involved in any wrong doing."
'Unfortunately, couldn't save all the children'
Talking about the difficulties faced during the rescue operation, director of the Delhi fire department Atul Garg said, "It was a very tough operation. We made two teams. One team started firefighting because there was a blast of cylinders, we can say the chain of blast of cylinders. So we had to save ourselves also. We started rescue operations for babies as well."
"Unfortunately, we could not save all the children. We removed all the twelve babies to the hospital. But after arrival, they declared that 6 were dead. That is a regrettable incident," he added.
The Delhi fire services said they received a call at 11.32pm. On information, police officials and firefighters reached the spot and doused the fire.
"At 11.32pm, Fire Service Control Room received information that fire broke out at a hospital...total 16 fire tenders reached the spot and fire has been extinguished completely. 2 buildings were affected by the fire, one is the hospital building and 2 floors of a residential building on the right side also caught fire...11-12 people were rescued and they were taken to hospital. Further details will be shared later", fire officer Rajendra Atwal said.
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