Sambalpur, July 20: Nine newborns admitted at VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla died in the past 24 hours sparking tension in the locality.

The mob put up a roadblock, alleging negligence on part of the medical authorities. The state government has ordered a probe into the incident. “I have asked director of medical education and training Dr Sunamani Bag to visit the hospital and inquire into the matter,” said state health secretary P.K. Mohapatra in Bhubaneswar.

According to the hospital sources, the babies (aged between one and seven days), admitted at the special newborn care unit of the hospital, died in the past 24 hours.

The name of the mothers, who have lost their babies, are Sabita Barla of Talsara in Sundergarh, Urmila Sahu of Boudh, Kaikayee Meher of Balangir, Kalpana Bariha of Padmapur, Shubha Naik of Sargipali, Jyotsna Meher of Sonepur, Sapna Bhoi of Sohela, Padmabati Sahu of Paharsirgira and Rashmita Patel of Kuchinda.

Hospital superintendent L.K. Dash said all the nine cases were critical. “The children had complains of respiratory problems, low birth weight, brain haemorrhage and severe anaemia,” he said.

“The negligence of the hospital employees is the reason behind the deaths of the babies,” said Girija Naik, president of the Burla Town Congress Committee, who took part in the roadblock.

“The parents, who lost their children, should be adequately compensated. We also demand stern action against the medical employees responsible for the infant deaths,” he said.

Naik also said they would call for Burla strike on Monday demanding resignation of chief minister Naveen Patnaik and the health minister for this incident.

Local MLA Jaynarayan Mishra, who visited the hospital, said the reason behind the deaths could have been ascertained after the autopsy. “But the hospital authorities did not do that and sent the parents away from the hospital after the deaths,” he said.

Mishra said he had also spoken to one mother, whose baby has been admitted at the unit. “She told me that no doctors had visited the unit last night. Had the doctors visited the unit, the situation would have been different,” he said.