A devastating fire broke out early Wednesday in the newborn nursery of a prominent government hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 infants, as confirmed by hospital authorities and the government. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences was home to 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 statements from hospital and rescue personnel.
The fire was contained within the nursery located in the gynecology ward, while the rest of the hospital was unaffected, and no additional injuries were reported. Witnesses and hospital officials noted that rescue workers used ladders to access the area through broken windows. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the death toll of 14 babies.
Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one infant was successfully rescued by a doctor, and the bodies of six babies had been handed over to their families, with the others to follow shortly.
The tragic incident sparked shock and sorrow nationwide, prompting 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 availability of adequate firefighting equipment in the nursery.
Amid the tragedy, firefighters swiftly responded to extinguish the flames, while rescue teams initiated cooling operations at the scene, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf confirmed the fire’s containment and stated that authorities were collaborating with the affected families.
In response to the incident, the Islamabad district magistrate promptly constituted a multiagency fact-finding committee tasked with delivering a report within 24 hours. The committee’s mandate includes investigating the fire’s origin and spread, assessing the adequacy of fire safety measures, and evaluating the emergency response.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences over the heartbreaking incident, emphasizing the irreparable loss caused by the tragedy. President Asif Ali Zardari extended sympathies to the affected families, labeling the deaths as heart-wrenching and emphasizing the need to identify and hold accountable those responsible under the law.
Zardari also urged hospitals to enhance fire safety measures and emergency protocols, particularly in sections catering to newborns. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a prominent public hospital in Islamabad, was highlighted as the location where former Prime Minister Imran Khan recently underwent a medical examination.
