Kolkata, Nov 27 (IANS): Crib deaths are back in West Bengal's hospitals. Ten babies have died in the Malda Medical College and Hospital, taking the toll to 25 since Saturday.

While families of the dead claimed negligence led to the deaths, the hospital authorities asserted that ailing children were brought in critical condition from far away places.

"Since Monday night, 10 more babies have died. The total such deaths now stand at 25 since Saturday," hospital official Uchhal Kumar Bhadra told IANS Tuesday.

He rubbished claims of negligence in the hospital.

"The number of critical babies brought here are far more than we can take care. Moreover, the babies are often brought nearly half dead. There is no question of negligence on our part," said Bhadra.

He also attributed the dip in the temperature and the gross underweight of the babies for the deaths.

"Often the families crowd the hospital which hampers our services. When asked to vacate, they resort to unruly conduct leading to law and order problem."

Minister of State for Health Chandrima Bhattacharya refused to comment.

The hospital in Malda district, 325 km from Kolkata, was in the news for crib deaths earlier also. In January alone, 100 such death were reported.