A blaze broke out early Wednesday in a newborn nursery at a major government hospital in Pakistan’s capital, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 infants, as confirmed by hospital authorities and government sources. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad was home to approximately 15 newborns in the nursery when the fire ignited around 6:45 a.m. local time following an explosion of an air-conditioning unit compressor on the third floor. The fire was contained within the nursery in the gynecology ward, with no other injuries reported and the rest of the hospital unaffected, according to hospital officials and eyewitnesses. Television footage showed rescue personnel using ladders to access the area through broken windows.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the death toll of 14 children. Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one baby was rescued by a doctor. The bodies of six infants had been returned to their families, with the remaining bodies to be released shortly.
The tragedy caused shock and sorrow nationwide, leading to the deployment of police at the hospital as grieving parents and relatives gathered, some mourning while others demanded accountability and clarification on the cause of the fire and the nursery’s firefighting preparedness. Mohammad Sami, who had given birth three days prior, recounted her heartbreaking loss as her baby was in the nursery receiving intensive care during the fire outbreak.
Firefighters promptly responded to extinguish the blaze, and rescue teams initiated cooling operations at the scene, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf later confirmed the fire was extinguished, and authorities were working with the families.
An investigative committee was swiftly appointed by the Islamabad district magistrate to probe the fire’s origin, assess fire safety measures, and evaluate emergency responses within 24 hours, as per a government directive. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences over the tragic incident, emphasizing the irreparable loss involving children. President Asif Ali Zardari also extended sympathies to the affected families, emphasizing the need for identifying and holding accountable those responsible under the law. Zardari stressed the importance of robust fire safety measures and emergency protocols, especially in units caring for newborns.
PIMS, a prominent public hospital in Islamabad, was recently in the spotlight for conducting a medical evaluation of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.