Photos of the charred intensive care unit were shared on social media and distraught parents were filmed outside the hospital. “Who will return my baby?” said one tearful parent.

The families of the affected children gathered outside the hospital on Saturday morning and protested over the lack of information they had received.

Only seven out of the 10 dead infants had been identified at that point, leaving some parents facing an agonising wait.

Officials said DNA tests would be carried out if needed to identify the remaining three babies.

Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, said: “The fire accident at Jhansi Medical College in Uttar Pradesh is heart-wrenching.

“My deepest condolences to those who lost their innocent children in this. I pray to God to give them the strength to bear this immense loss.”