Tragic accident in Tamil Nadu’s Dindigul, 6 killed in hospital fire

A massive fire broke out last night at a private hospital in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, claiming six lives. The incident occurred on Thursday night, causing panic across the city. The victims were found unconscious in an elevator and were immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where they were declared dead. The primary cause of death was reported to be suffocation. Fire department teams later rescued 30 trapped patients safely.

Police have launched a thorough investigation following the incident. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit. Images from the scene show thick smoke and flames engulfing the building.

The District Collector of Dindigul stated that the fire erupted in the private hospital approximately two hours prior. All patients were successfully evacuated and admitted to nearby government and private hospitals.

This tragedy follows another devastating incident in Uttar Pradesh last November, where 11 newborns died in a fire at Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi. That blaze originated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

A safety audit conducted five months earlier had identified critical safety violations, but no corrective actions were taken by hospital administration. The audit revealed exposed wiring, open junction boxes, and other fire hazards across multiple departments.

These separate but equally catastrophic events highlight the urgent need for stringent safety measures and regular audits in healthcare facilities. The loss of lives in both Chennai and Jhansi serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of neglecting safety protocols.

Hospitals and medical institutions must prioritize patient and staff safety by ensuring environments free from preventable hazards.