Hyderabad, Sept 23: The death toll in the fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Telangana’s Adilabad district has risen to five, with two more premature infants succumbing while undergoing treatment, officials said.
The two infants, who were extremely premature and receiving critical care, died on Tuesday night, taking the toll from the incident to five.
The fire broke out late on September 21 after an air-conditioning unit in the neonatal unit reportedly caught fire. Initial reports indicated a possible electrical short circuit. Health officials said the deaths were linked to asphyxiation, toxic smoke inhalation and breathing difficulties.
Around 25 newborns were being treated in incubators when the fire broke out. Hospital staff, security guards and ambulance drivers rescued the infants and shifted them to other wards and nearby hospitals. Two other newborns were reportedly in critical condition.
The Telangana government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the infants who died in the incident.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has ordered an inquiry into the circumstances leading to the fire, while a five-member committee has been constituted to investigate its cause.
Health Minister C Damodar Raja Narasimha reviewed the condition of the affected infants and directed officials to shift them to major hospitals in Hyderabad for advanced treatment, if required.
The minister also announced that construction of a 150-bed Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centre at RIMS would begin on a “war footing”.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and sought a detailed report on safety arrangements at the SNCU, including fire-fighting equipment and emergency evacuation procedures.
The Commission has sought details of the circumstances leading to the fire, the safety measures in place and steps taken to rescue and treat the affected infants. The matter has been listed for further consideration on October 27, 2026.
The exact cause of the fire is subject to the ongoing inquiry.
