Media: Six newborns die as hospital AC fails in Bangladesh heatwave

Six newborn babies have died in a hospital in Bangladesh after an air conditioning system reportedly broke down during a period of extreme heat, The Independent reports.

According to local authorities, the incident occurred in a maternity ward where the infants, aged between one and three days old, were being treated. Officials said the air conditioning system stopped functioning overnight, leaving the ward exposed to oppressive heat.

At the time, outside temperatures were reported to be around 32°C, while conditions inside the ward were described by officials as “suffocating heat”.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the malfunction, including potential technical failures in the air conditioning system and other electrical equipment. Hospital officials said it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about the cause of death, but confirmed they are cooperating fully with the inquiry.