Assam has one of the highest infant mortality rate in the country.(Representational photo)

In a reminder of the tragedy in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur, eight infants have died in a span of 24 hours at the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital in Assam's Barpeta district. Five children died on Wednesday night and three on Thursday, as per hospital records.Authorities at the hospital have ruled out medical negligence. They have claimed that the deaths are due to birth asphyxia, a medical condition resulting from deprivation of oxygen to a newborn during the birth process and lasting long enough to cause physical harm, usually to the brain.All these children were in critical condition, underweight and were in Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit or ICU.Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has already ordered a probe. He said that some of the mothers were under age as well."We have sent the director medical education and consultant from UNICEF to audit the deaths," Mr Sarma said.

Assam has one of the highest infant mortality rate in the country.Meanwhile, locals have been protesting, accusing the medical college of negligence.