New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, announced that the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would provide an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the surviving family members of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the fire incident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh.

"PM Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the mishap in the fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," posted the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on X.

The fire broke out around 10:45 pm on Friday in the NICU, possibly due to an electrical short circuit, District Magistrate Avinash Kumar said. The NICU's interior section, where critically ill children were being treated, was heavily affected. Children in the outer section were rescued, but the incident left 10 dead, officials confirmed.  

District Magistrate Avinash Kumar reported that most of the critically injured children were being treated in the interior section of the NICU, where the fire caused severe damage.  

"Prima facie, there is information of the death of 10 children," he added.  

According to the PMO, the local administration, under the supervision of the state government, is making all possible efforts to provide relief and carry out rescue operations.  

PM Modi expresses condolences

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the loss of innocent lives. In a post shared by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on X, he said:  
"Heartbreaking! The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss."

Compensation announced by CM Yogi

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. He directed the Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Jhansi to submit a detailed report on the incident within 12 hours.  

(Agency inputs)