Ten babies died Saturday in a mass fire at a hospital in Maharashtra, India’s richest state, a doctor said, as top politicians expressed grief over the loss of lives.
“The fire broke out at two in the morning today,” said Pramod Khandate, a civilian surgeon at Bhandara District General Hospital in the western state. Seven of the 17 children in the Sick Birth Care Unit were rescued, Khandate told Reuters partner ANI.
Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thakre ordered an investigation into the incident.
“A heartbreaking tragedy in Bhandara, Maharashtra, where we have lost precious young lives,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter. “My thoughts are with all the grieving families. I hope the wounded recover as soon as possible. “
Some other politicians, including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, also expressed their grief.