Two newborns die, two injured after AC explosion at RIMS Adilabad

Two newborns died and two others were hospitalised after inhaling toxic gases following an explosion of air-conditioning units caused by an electrical short circuit at the Special Newborn Care Unit of RIMS-Adilabad on Monday night.

Adilabad: In a tragic incident, two newborns were killed, while two others fell ill after inhaling toxic gases emanating from the explosion of air-conditioning machines caused by an electrical short-circuit at a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences RIMS-Adilabad late on Monday night.

Officials said that a five-day-old baby of Saleem from Ichoda died on the spot due to asphyxiation, while another infant succumbed during treatment. Two other infants were reported to have lost consciousness after inhaling the toxic gases. They were shifted for treatment at different private hospitals in the town.

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Thick smoke and toxic gases spread throughout the SNCU soon after the explosion of the ACs. Staffers on night duty immediately shifted the other infants to nearby wards. Electricity to the unit was turned off. Around 30 infants were being treated in incubators at the SNCU when the incident took place. Further details are awaited.

On receiving information, Collector Rajarshi Shah inspected the institution and made inquiries about the mishap. He instructed officials to provide better medical services to the infants. He asked the authorities of RIMS to take steps to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents in the future.

SP Akhil Mahajan and RIMS director Jaisingh too visited the hospital and found out the causes of the accident.