Panic erupted at Bhopal’s Government Medical College Thursday night as smoke billowed near the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (AI image)

BHOPAL: Panic gripped Government Medical College on Thursday around 8:30 pm after smoke was reported near the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The cause was a short circuit outside the ward.Relatives rushed into the NICU and began taking their newborns out as smoke spread. The situation remained tense for some time.Police from Garha police station reached the spot and brought the crowd under control.Reports of a newborn’s death during the incident led to anger among relatives. Hospital authorities said the death had occurred earlier and was not related to the incident.Some relatives alleged that no doctor or ward staff were present at the time.Superintendent Dr Arvind Sharma told media that the smoke was caused by a short circuit outside the NICU and confirmed that all newborns are safe.