At least 6 killed, several injured in Jaipur hospital fire; leaders condole deaths

A devastating fire at the Trauma Centre of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur on Sunday night claimed six lives and left several injured. A six-member panel is investigating the incident suspected to have been caused by a short circuit.

The fire began in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Sawai Man Singh Hospital, "releasing toxic gases", hospital official Anurag Dhakad told the ANI news agency, adding that a short-circuit was the suspected cause.

"Five patients are still critical," he said, while 13 had been safely evacuated from the two wards of the hospital in the capital of Rajasthan, which draws patients from across the desert state.

Fire brigade teams arrived within 20 minutes after the fire began late on Sunday in the neurosurgery ICU, hospital superintendent Sushil Kumar Bhati told the agency.

Most of the hospital equipment was gutted in the roughly two hours it took to bring the fire under control, however, broadcaster NDTV said.

Jaipur Police chief Biju George Joseph said a forensic investigation would determine the exact cause.

The inquiry panel will study the hospital's firefighting arrangements and the management's response, as well as steps to avoid similar incidents, the agency added.

Similar hospital fires in India have been blamed on short circuits in electronic equipment.

Ten newborns died from burns and suffocation after a fire in November at a neonatal intensive care unit in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

In May 2024, six newborns died in a fire at a baby care hospital in New Delhi, the capital.

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Monday expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Jaipur. He also conveyed his prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.

In a social media post, the Vice President said: "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the tragic fire incident at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for strength to those who have lost their loved ones and for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

The Prime Minister’s Office also shared condolences via social media, "The loss of lives due to a fire tragedy at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the incident "tragic” and assured that the local administration is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and care of the patients.

"The incident of a fire breaking out at Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur is tragic. The local administration is taking every possible step for the safety, treatment, and care of those affected. My condolences are with the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah said.

JP Nadda, Priyanka Gandhi express grief over Jaipur Hospital fire tragedy; urge swift action and relief

Jaipur, Oct 6 (IANS) BJP National President and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday expressed deep grief on the tragic fire at the Trauma Centre of Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur, which claimed over 6 lives and left many injured. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi also called the incident heart-wrenching and demanded accountability.

BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda expressed profound sorrow over the incident, calling the loss of lives "extremely heartbreaking."

Taking to social media, Nadda said, "The news of several patients being killed in the fire at the trauma centre of Sawai Man Singh Hospital in Jaipur is extremely heartbreaking. I spoke with the Chief Minister of the state, Bhajan Lal Sharma, and enquired about the ongoing health facilities and relief efforts."

"I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray to God to grant them the strength to bear this unbearable pain and wish a speedy recovery to the injured," he said.

Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi also called the incident heart-wrenching and demanded accountability, expressing her sorrow and concern over the incident in Rajasthan.

In a statement posted on X, she wrote, "The news of the painful deaths of several patients due to a fire in the trauma centre of a government hospital in Jaipur is extremely heart-wrenching.

"May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Priyanka Gandhi also called on the Rajasthan government to take strong and transparent action: "I appeal to the state government to provide appropriate compensation to the affected families, conduct a swift investigation into the incident, and take strict action so that such a tragedy is not repeated."

Agencies