LUCKNOW, India (AP) — A fire has ravaged a neonatal intensive care unit at a hospital in northern India, killing 10 newborns and injuring 16 others, authorities said.

The fire took place on Friday evening at a hospital in the city of Jhansi in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Officials said the fire quickly spread through the ward, where 55 children were being treated. Forty-five babies have been rescued and are receiving medical attention, said Bimal Kumar Dubey, a local official.

An initial investigation points to gaps in safety protocols, including expired fire extinguishers and malfunctioning fire alarms, which officials say delayed rescue efforts. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and those responsible.

Brajesh Pathak, the deputy minister of state, visited the hospital and met the families on Saturday. He promised government support for the victims’ families and promised a thorough investigation.

“We will identify those responsible for this tragedy and take strict action. The government stands with the families in this difficult time,” he said.

He added that DNA tests are being done after which the bodies of the babies will be handed over to their families.

The fire quickly spread through the neonatal ward. When firefighters arrived, the station was engulfed in flames and smoke. Rescuers had to break windows to reach the newborns. Eyewitnesses said the rescue operation began about 30 minutes after the fire broke out, delaying evacuation efforts.

Praminder Singh Chandel, a paramedic at the hospital, said that since the ward was located on the ground floor, firefighters were able to save several newborns. The ward was split into two – with one unit closer to the hospital entrance. The babies there were the most affected by the fire, with some dying from severe burns.

Shocked and grieving family members camped outside the hospital on Saturday, demanding answers about what they believe are lax security measures.

While fire alarms were installed in the intensive care unit, parents and witnesses said they did not go off during the fire. The hospital staff acted only after they saw traces of smoke and fire.

“If the safety alarm had worked, we could have acted earlier and saved more lives,” said Naresh Kumar, a parent who lost his child.

Akhtar Hussain, whose son was rescued and is receiving treatment in an adjacent ward, agreed that the tragedy could have been prevented if the hospital had better safety protocols.

Pathak, the state official, said the hospital’s fire safety systems were last inspected in February, followed by a drill in June.

Fires are common in India, where building laws and safety norms are often flouted by builders and residents. Poor maintenance and lack of adequate firefighting equipment in the country also lead to deaths.

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