Fire at Indian children's hospital kills many newborns

CNNOn May 26, at least six newborns died in a fire at a children's hospital in the Indian capital New Delhi, according to reports.

Six other infants were rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital, but one was in a serious condition, Delhi Fire Service Chief Atul Garg added.

The rescued children have not yet been identified as authorities have not yet found their birth records. It is unclear whether the records were destroyed in the fire.

The Delhi Fire Department said they received a call at 11:32 p.m. on May 25 (local time) and nine fire engines were dispatched to the scene.

Garg said rescue operations were still underway and revealed that the fire started from a neighbouring building, but the exact cause of the fire was yet to be determined.

Video footage from firefighters showed flames engulfing the ground floor and upper floors of the hospital.

Earlier the same day, a serious fire also occurred at an entertainment area in Rajkot city, Gujarat state, western India, killing 27 people, including at least 4 children.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on social media, expressing "deep anguish over the fire incident in Rajkot". He sent "deep condolences to those who have lost their loved ones" and said local authorities were working to support those affected.

Fires are common in India, where some contractors often flout building codes and safety regulations.

In 2021, 10 newborn babies died in a hospital fire in the western state of Maharashtra.