NOB_Adilabad: massive tragedy struck the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad, late Monday night when an air-conditioner unit exploded in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), killing two newborns.

The incident occurred around 11:50 pm on September 21. According to preliminary reports, an electrical short circuit triggered the AC blast, engulfing the pediatric ward in flames and thick black smoke. At the time, 28 infants were undergoing treatment in the ward.

Hospital staff and panicked parents broke window panes to rescue the children as ventilators and medical equipment lost power supply. A 5-day-old infant from Ichoda mandal reportedly died on the spot due to suffocation. Another newborn died while being shifted to a private hospital.

The remaining 25+ infants were immediately evacuated and shifted to four nearby private hospitals including Suraksha and Ganesh hospitals. The condition of three infants is said to be critical.

Fire tenders rushed to the spot with one fire engine and brought the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to adjacent wards.

District Collector Rajarshi Shah and SP Akhil Mahajan reached the hospital at midnight and supervised the rescue operations.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock and grief over the incident. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the cause of the fire. He also directed officials to provide the best free treatment to the affected infants and ordered an emergency fire and electrical safety audit in all government and private hospitals across the state.

Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha is continuously monitoring the situation. Police have registered a case and an investigation is underway.