A devastating fire broke out early on Wednesday in a nursery for newborns at a prominent government hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, resulting in the tragic death of 14 infants, as confirmed by hospital authorities and government officials.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences was home to around 15 newborns in the nursery when the fire started around 6:45 a.m. local time due to an explosion of an air-conditioning unit compressor on the third floor, according to statements from hospital and rescue personnel.
The fire was contained within the nursery located in the gynecology ward, leaving the rest of the hospital unharmed with no additional injuries reported. Videos aired on television depicted rescue teams using ladders to access the area through shattered windows.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the death toll of 14 infants.
Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that a doctor managed to rescue one baby. She added that six infants’ bodies had been handed over to their families, with the remaining bodies to be released soon.
The tragic event caused shock and sorrow nationwide, prompting the deployment of police at the hospital as grieving parents and relatives gathered, some in tears seeking accountability and clarity on the fire’s origin and the nursery’s firefighting preparedness.
Mohammad Sami, who had given birth three days before, shared her heartbreak as her newborn was in intensive care at the nursery during the fire outbreak.
Firefighters swiftly responded, extinguishing the flames, while rescue teams initiated cooling operations at the scene, as reported by local media outlets. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf later confirmed the fire was put out, and authorities were liaising with the affected families.
Following the incident, the Islamabad district magistrate established a multiagency fact-finding committee tasked with submitting a report within 24 hours. The committee’s mandate includes investigating the fire’s cause and spread, evaluating fire safety measures in place, and reviewing the emergency response, as per a government directive.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences over the tragedy, emphasizing the irreplaceable loss of children. Sharif called for an immediate investigation, while President Asif Ali Zardari extended sympathies to the affected families, labeling the deaths as heartbreaking and insisting on identifying and holding those responsible accountable under the law.
Zardari also urged hospitals to enhance fire safety protocols and emergency procedures, especially in units caring for newborns. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a prominent public hospital in Islamabad, was recently in the spotlight for conducting a medical examination of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned.