Maharashtra Public Health Minister Prakashrao Abitkar expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and defended the response of the medical staff

He said hospital personnel provided ventilator support and made every possible effort to save the newborns, but were unfortunately unable to do so

The exact cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths are expected to be established through the inquiry ordered by the state government

Opposition leaders have raised questions over the safety arrangements at the hospital. Some have claimed that the fire may have been linked to a ventilator explosion, though the circumstances are subject to investigation

State minister Chandrakant Patil said a detailed review of fire-safety arrangements at hospitals across Maharashtra would be undertaken