A fire broke out in the nursery for newborns at a prominent government hospital in the capital of Pakistan, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 infants, as confirmed by hospital authorities and government sources. The incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, where around 15 newborns were housed when the fire started around 6:45 a.m. local time due to an explosion in an air-conditioning unit compressor on the third floor of the nursery. Fortunately, the fire was contained within the nursery located in the gynecology ward, while the rest of the hospital remained unaffected, with no additional injuries reported.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the loss of 14 infants in the fire. Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one baby was rescued by a doctor, and the bodies of six babies have been returned to their families, with the rest to follow shortly. The devastating incident sparked profound sadness and shock nationwide, leading to the deployment of police at the hospital as grieving parents and relatives gathered seeking answers and accountability regarding the cause of the fire and the adequacy of firefighting equipment in the nursery.
A multiagency fact-finding committee was swiftly appointed by the Islamabad district magistrate to investigate the fire within 24 hours, focusing on determining the fire’s origin, assessing fire safety measures, and reviewing the emergency response. Firefighters promptly extinguished the blaze, and rescue operations commenced at the site. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf confirmed the fire’s extinguishment and ongoing coordination with the affected families.
Expressions of condolences and sympathy poured in from Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and President Asif Ali Zardari, all acknowledging the tragic loss of young lives. Sharif emphasized the need for an immediate investigation into the incident, while Zardari called for accountability and underscored the importance of robust fire-safety protocols in hospitals, especially in areas catering to newborns. PIMS, a prominent public hospital in Islamabad, had recently been in the spotlight for conducting a medical examination of the incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.