A fire broke out in the newborn nursery of a prominent government hospital in Pakistan’s capital early Wednesday, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 infants, as confirmed by hospital authorities and government officials. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad was home to approximately 15 newborns in the nursery when the fire started around 6:45 a.m. local time following an explosion of an air-conditioning unit compressor on the third floor, according to reports from hospital and rescue personnel.
The fire was contained within the nursery located in the gynecology ward, with no impact on the rest of the hospital, and no additional injuries were reported. Witnesses and hospital officials noted that rescue workers utilized ladders to access the area through shattered windows. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the tragic loss of at least 14 infants.
Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one baby was rescued by a doctor, while the bodies of six babies had been handed over to their families with the remaining to be released soon. The incident sparked shock and sorrow nationwide, leading to a deployment of police at the hospital as grieving parents and relatives gathered seeking answers and accountability regarding the fire’s origin and the nursery’s firefighting preparedness.
Firefighters swiftly responded to extinguish the blaze, and cooling operations commenced at the scene, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf later confirmed the fire’s containment and mentioned ongoing coordination with the affected families. Subsequently, an investigative committee was appointed by the Islamabad district magistrate to ascertain the cause of the fire, assess the adequacy of fire safety measures, and review the emergency response within a 24-hour timeframe.
Government officials, including Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressed deep sadness over the tragic event. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the irreparable loss caused by the tragedy and initiated an immediate probe. President Asif Ali Zardari also extended condolences to the bereaved families, urging for accountability and enforcement of effective fire safety protocols in hospitals, particularly in units caring for newborns.
PIMS, a significant public hospital in Islamabad, had recently been in the spotlight for conducting a medical evaluation of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.